Cancellation of Summit with Arab Leaders as President Biden Visits Israel

President Joe Biden’s initiative to defuse escalating hostilities in the war between Israel and Hamas experienced significant setbacks prior to his departure for the Middle East on Tuesday. Jordan canceled a planned summit with Arab leaders in response to a devastating explosion at a hospital in Gaza, resulting in hundreds of fatalities.

Consequently, Biden’s itinerary will now solely include Israel, deferring his planned visit to Jordan, according to an official White House announcement made as the President left.

The decision to delay the summit in Amman followed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s withdrawal from the scheduled meetings. He was protesting against the attacks, which the Health Ministry in Gaza, run by Hamas, attributed to an Israeli airstrike. However, the Israeli military denied involvement, blaming the incident on a misfired Palestinian rocket instead.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, speaking to the state-run al-Mamlaka TV, declared that the ongoing war and aggression were bringing the region to the edge of chaos. He stated that Jordan would host the summit only once all parties could agree on its purpose—ceasing hostilities, respecting Palestinian human rights, and delivering deserved aid.

During his flight, President Biden expressed his deep sadness and outrage at the explosion at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza and the resulting loss of life. He noted that upon learning of the news, he immediately consulted with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Biden emphasized the United States’ unwavering commitment to protecting civilian life in conflicts.

The cancellation of the Jordanian segment of Biden’s trip reflects a deteriorating situation that will challenge the scope of American influence in the Middle East, particularly during his upcoming visit on Wednesday.

Underscoring his willingness to engage in fraught international situations, Biden’s decision to visit a conflict zone follows his unexpected visit to Ukraine earlier this year. It marks another high-stakes diplomatic endeavor, reaffirming his belief in the United States’ central role on the global stage and the effectiveness of personal diplomacy.

Experts like Jon Alterman, Senior Vice President at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, point out that Biden’s approach indicates his particular philosophy on how politics operates and history unfolds.

The mounting humanitarian crisis in Gaza comes in the backdrop of a previous attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in more than 1,400 Israeli deaths and initiated the ongoing conflict. Aid has yet to reach the region, exacerbating the suffering of civilians, hospitals, and aid groups.

Tensions have also spilled over Israel’s northern border involving skirmishes with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group based in Southern Lebanon, fueling concerns of a widening conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, shuttling between Arab and Israeli leaders before Biden’s arrival, managed to get Israel’s approval for a plan on delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. This marks a shift in Israel’s initial position of keeping Gaza isolated from essential supplies like fuel, electricity, and water.

Despite broad domestic support in the U.S. for his stance on Israel, Biden faces uncertainties regarding additional aid provisions. Nevertheless, he maintains his commitment to both Israel and Ukraine, highlighting the capacity and obligation of the United States to intervene in such matters.

In the coming days, Biden is set to meet Israeli officials including Prime Minister Netanyahu. His original plans to engage with King Abdullah II of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have been abandoned.

The long-standing Israel-Palestinian conflict involves leaders like Netanyahu, Abbas, and King Abdullah II, who have been in power for extended periods, complicating diplomatic endeavors. Neither Egypt nor Jordan, facing their own economic challenges, are eager to accommodate refugees, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.

Amidst these complexities, the human toll continues to rise. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli strikes have resulted in at least 2,700 deaths and more than 9,700 injuries, with nearly two-thirds being children. Moreover, an estimated 1,200 people in Gaza are believed to be trapped under debris, either alive or deceased. More than half of Gaza’s population has been displaced, increasing the urgency for a resolution.

The report was contributed by Big Big News writers Josh Boak in Washington, Josef Federman in Jerusalem, and Matthew Lee in Amman, Jordan.

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More about President Biden’s Middle East Diplomacy

• Biden’s Middle East Diplomacy: A Deep Dive
• Jordan Cancels Summit with Arab Leaders
• U.S. Diplomatic Efforts in the Israel-Hamas Conflict
• Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas Withdraws from Summit
• Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: An Overview
• U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s Diplomatic Efforts
• Economic Struggles of Egypt and Jordan Amid Conflict
• Rising Death Toll and Displacement in Gaza
• Regional Stability Concerns Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict