International Desk: US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Foreign Minister Anthony Blinken announced on Tuesday that he would clarify Israel’s right to self-defense in the talks. News from Reuters and CNN
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdullahian, has warned that Israel will not be allowed to conduct any activities here without resolving the Gaza situation. He gave this warning in light of taking advance steps regarding Biden’s visit.
Blinken announced the visit to reporters after a more than seven-hour meeting with Israel’s war cabinet. He was forced to take refuge in a bunker for five minutes when the sirens went off during the talks, Reuters reported.
Blinken’s visit to Israel is part of a tour of seven countries in the Middle East. Because the Hamas-Israel war is feared to spread to the surrounding countries in the region,
During his visit to Israel, Blinken said that Biden will hear from them about how they can reduce civilian casualties and provide humanitarian aid to Gazan civilians in a way that Hamas cannot take advantage of.
He also said that the United States and Israel have drawn up a joint plan to deliver aid from donor countries and multilateral organizations to Gaza’s civilians.
Iran’s foreign minister told state TV, “Resistance leaders will not allow the Zionist regime to take any action in Gaza.” All options are open, and we cannot remain indifferent to the war crimes committed against the people of Gaza.’
Without giving details, he added, “The Resistance Front is capable of waging a long-term war with the enemy (Israel). We can expect an advance from the resistance front in the next few hours.”
Gaza authorities say more than 2,800 residents have been killed in the ongoing fighting. About a quarter of the victims were children. Another 10,000 are injured; hospitals do not have enough supplies.
Last week, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Tehran was not involved in Hamas’ attacks on Israel. But he hailed the attack as an “irreparable” military and intelligence defeat for Israel.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Monday that while Tehran supports the Palestinians, the Resistance Front against Israel has made its own decision.
