Tensions Rise as Biden Postpones Jordan Summit Amid Gaza Hospital Bombing
President Joe Biden’s efforts to ease tensions in the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas faced significant setbacks as Jordan canceled the planned summit with Arab leaders following a deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital. Consequently, Biden’s visit will only include Israel, with his travel to Jordan postponed.
The cancellation of the Amman summit was prompted by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas withdrawing from the scheduled meetings in protest of the attacks, which the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza blamed on an Israeli airstrike. The Israeli military denied involvement and attributed the incident to a misfired Palestinian rocket.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, expressed concern over the deteriorating situation and emphasized that the summit would only proceed once all participants agreed on its purpose: to halt the war, ensure the well-being of Palestinians, and deliver the aid they desperately need.
This development highlights the growing volatility in the region, posing a challenge to American influence as Biden prepares for his visit on Wednesday.
Biden’s decision to personally engage in this conflict zone, reminiscent of his surprise visit to Ukraine earlier this year, demonstrates his readiness to take both personal and political risks, investing heavily in another complex foreign conflict with an uncertain resolution.
This high-stakes trip reflects Biden’s belief in maintaining the United States’ central role on the global stage and his conviction that personal diplomacy can play a decisive role in resolving conflicts.
The escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where necessities like water, fuel, and food have not been delivered since the previous deadly attack by Hamas, has raised concerns about the potential for a spiraling conflict that extends beyond Gaza’s borders. Skirmishes have already occurred along Israel’s northern border with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group based in Southern Lebanon.
Given these circumstances, there are considerable security concerns surrounding Biden’s visit. Rocket launches into Israel have disrupted visits by other U.S. officials, and further Israeli airstrikes in Gaza could attract more condemnation while Biden aims to demonstrate solidarity with Israel, the United States’ closest ally in the region.
The U.S. has subtly adjusted its message in the past week, voicing unwavering support for Israel while intensifying diplomatic efforts to address the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Gaza. Dire predictions about the potential for images of suffering Palestinians to incite protests and further unrest throughout the Middle East have prompted U.S. officials to recognize that Arab tolerance for Israel’s military operations would dissolve if conditions in Gaza worsened.
Officials cautioned that widespread condemnation of Israel by Arab leaders would not only strengthen Hamas but also encourage Iran to increase its anti-Israel activities, heightening the risk of a wider regional conflict.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, shuttling between Arab and Israeli leaders ahead of Biden’s visit, spent seven and a half hours in Tel Aviv on Monday in an attempt to broker an agreement on providing aid. While the outcome may appear modest, U.S. officials underscored the significance of Israel’s shift in position, allowing for the creation of a plan to deliver aid to Gaza’s civilians.
Biden has a long-standing record of publicly supporting Israel while privately expressing concerns about its actions.
For Biden, being physically present in the conflict zone is crucial to gaining insight into the Israeli mindset, aided by his reputation for showing empathy and understanding.
On the domestic front, Biden has garnered rare praise from Republicans for his leadership on the Israel issue. However, prospects for additional aid in Congress remain uncertain, as House Republicans are yet to reach a consensus.
Nevertheless, Biden remains committed to both Ukraine and Israel, insisting that the United States, as the most powerful nation in history, has both the capacity and obligation to support those in need.
During his visit to Israel, Biden is slated to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials. However, his planned meetings in Jordan with King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas had to be canceled.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades, involving a group of longstanding leaders, including Netanyahu, the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history, and Abbas, who has served as Palestinian president for nearly two decades. Jordan’s King Abdullah II, often referred to as a loyal ally in a challenging region, has been king since 1999. El-Sissi is the newest leader, assuming the Egyptian presidency in 2014.
These leaders also understand the importance of avoiding a protracted regional escalation, particularly as Egypt and Jordan grapple with growing economic challenges. Reports indicate that both countries are on the brink of a debt crisis, and Egypt is struggling with high inflation.
Neither country is eager to absorb a massive influx of refugees. With a sizable Palestinian population already in Jordan, the country is already grappling with hundreds of thousands of refugees from neighboring Syria, Iraq, and other countries.
With tens of thousands of troops amassed along the Israel-Gaza border, many anticipate an imminent ground invasion. However, Israel’s plans remain uncertain, and U.S. officials have refrained from commenting on whether Israel is waiting for Biden’s visit before taking further military action.
All the while, the death toll continues to rise, even without the launch of a ground offensive. Israeli strikes in Gaza have claimed the lives of at least 2,700 people, with more than 9,700 wounded, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Shockingly, nearly two-thirds of those killed were children. The United Nations estimates that around 1,200 people in Gaza are believed to be trapped under rubble, and over 1 million Palestinians have been displaced from their homes, accounting for roughly half of Gaza’s population.
As the situation in the region remains highly volatile, Biden’s visit carries immense significance and potential risks. The balance between addressing immediate humanitarian needs, engaging with key regional stakeholders, and avoiding exacerbating conflicts will be crucial in determining the impact of Biden’s diplomatic efforts in Israel and the broader Middle East.
