U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reaffirm Washington's "ironclad commitment to its security," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
Blinken made the announcement early Tuesday in Tel Aviv following hours of talks with Netanyahu amid growing concern that Israel's war with Palestinian militant group Hamas could turn into a wider and longer regional conflict.
After Israel, Biden will travel to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, according to the White House.
"President Biden will again make clear, as he has done unequivocally since Hamas' slaughter of more than 1,400 people including at least 30 Americans, that Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists, and to prevent future attacks," Blinken told the press.
Blinken said Biden will also send "our crystal-clear message to any actor, state or nonstate, trying to take advantage of this crisis to attack Israel -- Don't" and hear from the U.S. ally about its "war aims and strategy," including how it will minimize civilian casualties and enable humanitarian assistance.
Israel is preparing for a ground offensive in Hamas-ruled Gaza, which is now facing a humanitarian crisis with shortages of electricity, water and food.
Israeli forces have been retaliating against the militant group for its sudden attack on Israel on Oct. 7, with Gaza health authorities announcing Monday that 2,778 had been killed in the densely populated area.
Blinken said the United States and Israel had "agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multinational organizations to reach civilians in Gaza."
While working closely with Israel to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas, Blinken said, "It is critical that aid begin flowing into Gaza as soon as possible."
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement Biden will reiterate during his trip that "Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination, and discuss the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza."
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