Biden's Transformative Journey: The Unparalleled Impact of his Israel Visit

President Joe Biden departed from the Israeli war zone after spending seven hours there, amidst a Middle East that had become increasingly tense and deteriorated compared to when he initially arrived.

During his flight on Air Force One, Biden informed reporters that he felt content with his accomplishments, particularly in regards to resolving the matter of providing humanitarian assistance to the besieged Gaza region. This area had endured extensive bombardment from Israel following the devastating terror attacks orchestrated by Hamas on October 7.

However, his mission also demonstrated the extent of US influence in a region on the verge of escalating violence. The crisis deepened due to the conflicting accounts between Israel and Arab states regarding an explosion at a Gaza City hospital, which was believed to have resulted in the deaths of numerous individuals. Nonetheless, the president successfully achieved a significant objective of his mission by displaying his profound admiration for Israel. Emotionally, he empathized with the country's distress and sorrow, and in making a commitment to forever stand alongside the Jewish people, he even drew parallels to the Holocaust.

But he also urged Israeli leaders not to let their anger over the slayings of "your fathers, your grandparents, sons, daughters, children, even babies" cloud their focus on their goals of dismantling Hamas.

President Joe Biden is greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after arriving at Ben Gurion International Airport, on Wednesday in Tel Aviv.

Evan Vucci/AP

The Gaza hospital explosion sparked a frantic race before President Biden's trip to Israel. He firmly differentiated between the Palestinian people and their extremist Hamas leaders, whom he accused of using innocent civilians as shields for weapons and tunnels. He expressed lament for the lives lost in Gaza due to the Israeli bombings over several days.

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Hospital blast overshadowed Bidens trip from the start

The wider goals of the trips were thwarted following protests in multiple Arab nations triggered by a Tuesday explosion at a Gaza hospital, which Palestinian officials assert claimed the lives of hundreds. The incident, which President Biden had aimed to prevent by visiting the region, unfortunately occurred after his visit. He supported Israeli claims that the explosion resulted from an errant Islamic Jihad rocket, an assessment corroborated by US intelligence.

However, doubts about the cause of the explosion failed to calm the strong anger it ignited among Arab nations. The US and Israeli governments' statements are viewed with skepticism, and there is deep resentment towards the ongoing mistreatment of the Palestinian people. This devastating event resulted in the cancellation of a crucial part of Biden's trip to Amman. Originally, he was scheduled to meet with Jordan's King Abdullah II, the Egyptian president, and the leader of the Palestinian Authority.

On October 18, 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden arrived in Tel Aviv, Israel, amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. He was warmly received by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The photograph captures this significant moment. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein.

Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Hospital blast looms over Biden's complicated diplomatic mission to Israel

Instead of hosting a presidential summit, Amman was engulfed by a second night of massive protests that reflected the anger of Arab nations towards the Israeli assault on Gaza. Demonstrations also broke out in Tunisia, Iraq, Iran, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon. The US State Department advised against traveling to Lebanon, and the growing public unrest surrounding the situation in Gaza seemed to further solidify the stances of influential regional powers. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for instance, urged "all of humanity to take action and put an end to this unprecedented brutality in Gaza" in a post on X, condemning the bombing of a hospital as the "most recent example of Israel's inhumane attacks." The meeting in Amman held great significance for Biden's attempt to strike a balance between his unwavering support for Israel, in light of the deaths of over 1,400 civilians by Hamas and the hostage situation involving over 200 individuals, and his efforts to involve Arab leaders in containing the conflict.

The willingness of the king, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas to disregard the US president - a crucial ally and provider of aid - reflects poorly on Washington's current influence and the prospects for its involvement in a regional peace effort. The potential for the unrest in the Arab world to extend and create instability is expected to have an influence on the political choices of pivotal leaders in the region, including those aligned with the US.

Bidens jarring other team remark

Biden's comment about the hospital explosion potentially being caused by the "other team" may have worsened regional suspicions of the US role. This remark serves as a reminder of Biden's tendency to create tonally awkward moments, which Republicans argue may hinder his ability to effectively serve in a second term, particularly given his age of 80. Moreover, the phrase appeared flippant considering the unimaginable horror that unfolded in the Gaza City hospital, already crowded due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas. This comment likely further diminished Biden's capacity to navigate the delicate balance required to alleviate tensions in the region by acting as a mediator between Israel and the US Arab allies.

Biden supported Israel's assertion that the strike was carried out by the Islamic Jihad militant group, citing information from the US Defense Department. The National Security Council similarly stated that Israel was not accountable for the attack. Islamic Jihad, however, has denied any involvement.

Furthermore, the president's credibility is at stake regarding aid to civilians in Gaza. He urged the Israeli cabinet to permit essential humanitarian assistance to enter the enclave from Egypt, with the condition that it be strictly allocated to civilians and not Hamas fighters.

"I was quite forthright with the Israelis," Biden stated to reporters aboard Air Force One on his return journey. "Although Israel has endured significant hardships, the reality is that if they have a chance to alleviate the plight of individuals who have no alternative, that is the path they should choose."

"Failure to do so," he emphasized, "will result in being held responsible through means that could be deemed unjust."

Biden further mentioned that he had engaged in a conversation with the Egyptian president for more than an hour while aboard Air Force One. He revealed that Sisi had given his consent to authorize the entry of 20 trucks containing essential supplies through the Rafah crossing into Gaza.

The President emphasized the necessity of repairing the road before allowing the trucks to proceed, and he expressed his anticipation for them to commence their journey by Friday. Biden clarified that the opening of the crossing was solely meant for humanitarian aid and not for facilitating evacuations.

The arrival of the trucks would signify a significant development, but the magnitude of the need among the Gaza civilians who lack a safe haven from the Israeli attacks is extremely high. Additionally, doubts loom regarding the likelihood of all 20 trucks successfully reaching their destination.

"The details are crucial," stated Mark Regev, a senior advisor to Netanyahu, during an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Wednesday. Regev emphasized that previous humanitarian shipments had been pilfered by Hamas.

Bidens veiled warnings to Israel

The outcomes of a presidential trip are not always apparent to the public eye. Behind closed doors, confidential discussions with foreign leaders often result in understandings that shape future events. Thus, initial indicators may not accurately gauge the success of such diplomatic journeys. Although White House officials made efforts to minimize expectations, there was an undeniable urgency for Biden's mission to alleviate tensions—a goal that ultimately remained unfulfilled.

Bidens speech to the Israeli people was a poignant show of solidarity towards a traumatized ally after a terror attack. Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been weakened by the crisis, now owes a debt to the president, potentially making him more susceptible to US pressure. Given Biden's willingness to visit the country during such a difficult time, appeals for compassion towards Palestinian civilians may resonate more strongly with the enraged and grieving Israeli public.

According to Ivo Daalder, a former US ambassador to NATO, Biden's visit successfully demonstrated that Israel is not alone. However, Daalder also acknowledged that Biden made references to how decisions made in response to anger and grief after the September 11 attacks in 2001 led America down uncertain paths.

"I believe he utilized the visit to actively involve Prime Minister Netanyahu and the war cabinet in meaningful discussions regarding Israel's current strategy," Daalder stated. "I believe the president expressed skepticism that Israel's ongoing efforts are indeed progressing in the correct direction."

Additionally, Biden issued a caution to adversaries of Israel, including Iran and the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah, making it clear that the United States is ready to take all necessary actions to protect its ally. The presence of Biden further reinforced the message conveyed by the two aircraft carrier battle groups he deployed to the region.

"My message to any state or hostile actor contemplating an attack on Israel remains unchanged from a week ago: do not - do not - do not," said Biden.

However, the lack of immediate progress during Bidens visit also highlighted the constraints on US influence in a serious geopolitical situation, raising concerns about the potential inability to prevent events from escalating uncontrollably.

This story and headline have been updated with additional information.