Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in a warm meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday in Amman, Jordan. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. However, when asked about the possibility of aid flowing into the region soon, Blinken chose to remain silent.
While the United States has expressed full support for Israel’s right to defend itself and retaliate against Hamas terrorists, President Biden’s administration has made a clear distinction between Hamas and the Palestinian people. During the meeting, Blinken and Abbas exchanged smiles and handshakes, even joking about the U.S. official’s frequent visits to the region by suggesting he should buy a house in Amman.
Notably, this meeting follows Blinken’s similar meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. In that meeting, Blinken reiterated America’s unwavering support for Israel while also highlighting the urgent humanitarian crisis.
Israel has not yet set a date for its planned ground invasion of Northern Gaza, but the military has spent almost a week urging Gaza residents to flee southwards, despite Hamas’ attempts to obstruct their movement.
The Biden administration’s push for aid for Palestinians has faced criticism from within the United States. Senator Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, argues that such aid would only end up in the hands of Hamas. Moreover, several Republican candidates for the 2024 presidential election have voiced their opposition to accepting any refugees from Gaza.
It is worth noting that neighboring countries such as Egypt, Jordan, and Gaza’s other Arab neighbors have also refused to accept refugees from the ongoing conflict.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Hamas recently launched a surprise terror attack on October 7, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,400 individuals, including men, women, children, and older civilians. Videos depicting the brutality of Hamas towards Israelis have drawn parallels to tactics used by ISIS.
In a show of commitment, President Biden is scheduled to personally travel to Israel later today.
Anders Hagstrom, a reporter with Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events, contributed to this article. For any tips or inquiries, please reach out to [email protected] or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders. Stay updated on the latest developments from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content by subscribing to our newsletter.
