President Joe Biden's Historic Visit to Israel: Unveiling Game-Changing Strategies

US President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Israel on Wednesday, as confirmed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his early morning announcement from Tel Aviv on Tuesday.

Biden had been contemplating the possibility of visiting Israel during times of conflict, a visit that carries significant risks but could serve as a powerful demonstration of support for a key US ally while also sending a strong message to other countries in the region about deterrence.

The president has shown keen interest in making the trip to Israel, as he was invited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Biden has had a forty-year-long acquaintance with, aides revealed.

However, it is important to acknowledge that a presidential visit to Israel poses significant risks. This was evident on Monday when Secretary of State Blinken had a meeting with Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, and they had to take shelter due to the loud sirens blaring in the air.

The United States and Israel have reached an agreement to create a strategy that allows humanitarian aid to reach the people of Gaza from donor nations and multilateral organizations. Blinken stressed that during his visit, the president will be informed by Israel about their plans to carry out operations in a manner that reduces civilian casualties and ensures that humanitarian assistance is provided to Gazan civilians while not benefiting Hamas.

Speaking from a diplomatic building in Tel Aviv, Blinken emphasized the urgency of promptly initiating aid delivery to Gaza.

The US ambassador expressed that the US shares Israel's worries regarding Hamas potentially intercepting or sabotaging aid shipments destined for Gaza, thereby hindering its distribution to those who are in need of it.

"We will unequivocally denounce any actions taken by Hamas, such as obstructing the delivery of humanitarian assistance, including the seizure of aid. Furthermore, we are committed to taking measures to ensure such incidents do not recur," he declared.

Blinken mentioned that the agreement to collaborate on the plan was initiated by the US, and they appreciate the dedication of the Israeli government to work on it.

"He eagerly anticipates discussing it in more detail during his visit on Wednesday," he added.

Biden considered both the symbolic and practical aspects when deliberating on Netanyahus invitation. Besides demonstrating strong support for Israel, the visit will serve as a deterrent to other players in the region, particularly Iran and its Hezbollah proxy in Lebanon, regarding their involvement in the conflict.

However, the trip will also align Biden more closely with Israel's response in Gaza, including concerns about the worsening humanitarian crisis. Consequently, it may be seen as an implicit endorsement of Netanyahus decisions.

Pressure mounted on Biden to urge restraint as a significant protest by progressive Jewish groups unfolded in front of the White House on Monday. Demonstrators fervently called on him to actively seek a ceasefire, their songs and chants echoing within the gates. Originally scheduled to discuss wind energy in Colorado, Biden abruptly canceled the trip, opting instead to engage in briefings with his national security team and hold phone conversations with the leaders of Germany, Egypt, and Iraq.

The unexpected cancellation of Biden's visit to the west is another indication of how the recent cross-border Hamas attack over the weekend has caused the president to redirect his focus and rearrange his schedule in response to the realities of a new war.

Furthermore, this conflict is prompting a reassessment of the administration's immediate foreign policy priorities, as it becomes clear that dealing with the renewed violence in the Middle East will now consume the majority of the president's time, at least in the foreseeable future.

In the Oval Office on Monday, Biden convened with top national security advisers to discuss the latest developments on the ground. Although the word "ceasefire" has not been explicitly used by the administration, Biden has emphasized the importance of safeguarding civilian life and has conveyed stronger warnings in this regard, as observed during his phone conversations with Netanyahu. Advisers assert that Biden and Blinken have presented themselves as morally upright and have solidified their credibility with the Israelis by demonstrating empathy towards civilian and humanitarian needs, all while reaffirming their dedication to a secure state.

Traveling personally to Israel offers Biden a chance to effectively communicate his views to the Israeli leader, whom he believes he shares a strong understanding with. Prior to the outbreak of the war in Israel, Biden and Netanyahu had intended to meet in person at the White House, an invitation Biden had extended during their last meeting in New York City. During their phone conversations, both leaders have emphasized the significance of following the rules of engagement. In a recent interview, Biden publicly expressed his belief that Israel attempting to reoccupy Gaza would be an error.

Addressing the press on Monday, a representative of the Israel Defense Forces emphasized the "strategic significance" of a potential visit by President Biden, stating that it would hold weight for the entire Middle East region. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari explained that the visit would provide an opportunity for a comprehensive briefing on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the necessary measures to be taken.

"We are currently placing our attention on Gaza and planning the necessary actions to prepare for war. This approach will guide our advancement," he stated.

Biden's most recent impromptu and covert overseas visit occurred in February during his trip to Kyiv, Ukraine, coinciding with the one-year commemoration of Russia's invasion.

Only a select few of his top advisers were privy to the plans in advance, and eventually, only one journalist and one photographer accompanied the president as he silently traveled by train across the border between Poland and Ukraine, entering an active war zone.

The purpose of his brief visit was to demonstrate unwavering support for the Ukrainian people and their president, Volodymyr Zelensky. The White House also aimed for this demonstration to serve as a powerful call to action, urging US allies to continue standing by Ukraine and its cause.

However, unlike his previous trip to Ukraine earlier this year, his upcoming visit to Israel this week is a notable and expedited decision following the recent outbreak of war. Those knowledgeable about Biden's longstanding association with Netanyahu assert that the administration's response to Hamas attacks is greatly influenced by Biden's personal friendship with Netanyahu, as well as his determination to display unwavering support for the prime minister. Throughout the weekend, American officials closely observed the escalating potential for the war to expand, while issuing both public and private messages to Iran, urging them to refrain from involvement in the conflict.

Biden's initial conversation with Netanyahu last weekend has sparked worry about the possibility of a potential conflict along Israel's border with Lebanon, particularly due to the sporadic engagements between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran.

US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, stated on Sunday that the administration was conducting behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts with Tehran. The goal is to communicate the same message as the one conveyed publicly, urging against any further escalation of the crisis.

"They are ramping up the rhetoric," stated an individual familiar with the situation. "However, they are also bolstering their position with additional hardware."

For President Biden and his team, the dangers of an escalated conflict include the possibility of increased involvement of American military resources to defend Israel. While the White House has consistently stated that there are no intentions to deploy American troops to Israel, partially due to Israel's own preference against it, there is a chance that US air and naval assets could become more deeply engaged in the event of a multi-front warfare.

Biden and his team are currently discussing potential scenarios in case the crisis escalates, while simultaneously reinforcing their deterrence posture by deploying a second US aircraft carrier group to the eastern Mediterranean. This military move aims to communicate a strong message to Iran, urging them to refrain from involvement.

"We must not dismiss the possibility that Iran may opt for direct involvement in some manner. It is imperative that we make adequate preparations for all potential scenarios," Sullivan stated on CBS.

The eruption of violence is compelling the Biden administration to actively collaborate with, and heavily depend on, entities in the region notorious for their severe human rights abuses.

US officials have engaged in ongoing discussions with Egyptian counterparts regarding the creation of a humanitarian passage, enabling civilians, including numerous American citizens, to flee the intense Israeli counteroffensive bombardment in Gaza. However, these discussions have not yet yielded positive results.

During the weekend, distressing scenes of disorder and uncertainty unfolded in southern Gaza, as families in their efforts to escape discovered that the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt remained shut, despite previous assurances of a midday window for departures.

During their in-person meeting, Blinken assured Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi that Rafah will be open, addressing a major topic of discussion between them. Blinken's extensive trip to the region also included a visit to Saudi Arabia. As a presidential candidate, President Biden had vowed to isolate Saudi Arabia on the global stage following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The secretary of state met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is considered the country's de facto leader and was implicated by the US intelligence community in approving the operation to kill Khashoggi.

The administration's resolute effort to curb the escalation of the conflict beyond Israel's borders is evident in its direct and prompt engagement with the influential leaders of the region. This breaking story will be continuously updated.