Biden Visits Israel Amid High-Stakes Conflict, Calls for Immediate Ceasefire

President Joe Biden has arrived in Israel for a high-stakes visit as the country prepares for a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. The visit comes just hours after a blast was reported to have killed hundreds at a Gaza hospital, sparking protests in the West Bank and Jordan.

The Biden administration and lawmakers have expressed support for Israel’s plans to strike hard at Hamas, the organization in power in Gaza since 2006. However, they are concerned that Israel has no clear plan for who will govern Gaza if and when the militants are driven out.

In response to the violence, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt, King Abdullah II of Jordan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have called off a planned Wednesday summit with Biden, who will now only visit Israel.

The Biden administration has urged Israel to take steps to protect innocent civilians in Gaza, and has called for an immediate ceasefire. The White House has also said it is working with the United Nations, Egypt and other partners to bring an end to the violence.

Biden’s visit to Israel is seen as a critical moment in the conflict, as the U.S. president is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders to discuss a way forward. It is unclear how the situation will develop, but it is certain that the stakes are high and the outcome could have far-reaching implications.