President Biden to Visit Israel to End War in Ghaza, emphasizing unwavering U.S. support and addressing the urgent need to alleviate the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
According to Gaza authorities, Israeli attacks since October 7 have resulted in the deaths of more than 2,800 people, with around a quarter of them being children. Additionally, more than 10,000 individuals have been wounded, and hospitals are struggling with severe shortages of essential supplies.
The United Nations‘ World Food Programme (WFP) has also expressed concern about the deteriorating food situation in Gaza, with only four or five days of food stocks remaining in local shops. Stocks are running low not only in Gaza’s warehouses but also at the shop level.
Abeer Etefa, the Middle East spokeswoman for WFP, highlighted the dire situation, stating that “the situation in Gaza is getting worse by the minute: the humanitarian situation but also, of course, the food security situation.” She added that the current stocks of essential food items are sufficient for just two weeks, primarily at the wholesalers’ level, with warehouses located in Gaza City. Shops are finding it increasingly difficult to replenish their supplies.
Etefa also revealed that out of the five flour mills in Gaza, only one remains operational due to security concerns and fuel shortages. This has led to a shortage of bread, forcing people to queue for hours. Only five out of the 23 bakeries in Gaza contracted by WFP are still in operation. The overall food supplies within Gaza are critically low.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, described President Biden’s visit as a display of “solidarity with Israel” and an “ironclad commitment to its security.” Biden’s visit is not only about expressing support for Israel but also aims to prevent a potential regional conflict with Iran. Iran recently issued a warning of a possible “pre-emptive action” against Israel, which has escalated concerns of a wider regional conflict.
The visit is also occurring amidst intensive diplomatic efforts to address the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, following a series of harsh Israeli retaliatory airstrikes. Biden is also scheduled to visit Jordan, where he will meet with King Abdullah II, Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Under relentless Israeli bombardment, thousands of Palestinians have lost their lives, and international agencies are warning of dwindling supplies of water, food, and fuel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli military leaders have expressed their intent to destroy Hamas and eliminate the threat it poses. A significant number of Israeli troops and reservists are stationed at the border, awaiting orders for a potential ground invasion.
The situation in Gaza has forced more than a million Palestinians to flee their homes and head south due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes. International aid agencies are urgently calling for aid to be allowed into the territory and for the Gaza-Egypt border to be opened to facilitate the departure of civilians.
Ahmed Al-Mandhari, the regional director of the World Health Organization, has stated that Gaza is on the brink of a “real catastrophe,” with severe shortages of water, electricity, and fuel. The U.S. has supported Israel’s right to defend itself but has also called for measures to minimize the impact on innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
Israel has issued an ultimatum for over a million people in northern Gaza to evacuate in anticipation of a ground offensive. Many Palestinians have fled their homes, and the situation is catastrophic, with morgues overflowing and corpses stored in unusual places.
There are mounting fears that the conflict could expand to the Palestinian West Bank or Lebanon, potentially drawing regional powers deeper into the crisis. Israel has reported launching strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, and Iran, while backing Hezbollah and Hamas, denies involvement in the recent attack. Western governments, including Germany, have urged Iran to refrain from exacerbating the situation.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, the situation remains highly volatile, and time is running out for finding peaceful solutions to the ongoing crisis.