President Biden to Meet with Israeli President Herzog
President Biden is scheduled to meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the White House on Tuesday. The meeting comes amidst ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, and is expected to focus on these issues.
A statement from the Israeli president's office confirmed the meeting, noting that Ron Dermer, a former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. and advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will also be present. This will be the third meeting between the two presidents this year, following their encounters in July and October 2023.
Stalled Ceasefire Talks and Ongoing Conflicts
Ceasefire talks mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have repeatedly stalled. Similarly, efforts to halt the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have also been unsuccessful. Qatar, a key mediator with Hamas, has suspended its efforts until both parties demonstrate a willingness to end the conflict.
Meanwhile, the war in Gaza continues, with Hamas demanding an agreement that ends the war and includes a prisoner-for-hostages deal. Prime Minister Netanyahu, however, has stated that the war will only stop once Hamas is eradicated.
Focus on the "Root Cause" of the Conflict
Senator Bill Hagerty, a Tennessee Republican, believes that the "root cause" of the war in Gaza is Iran. He points to the initial attack by Hamas-led militants, which was supported by Iran. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 43,000 Palestinians and the abduction of around 250 people, with approximately 100 hostages still held in Gaza.
Hezbollah, also allied with Iran, has been firing rockets, drones, and missiles from Lebanon into Israel in solidarity with Hamas. This led to a larger conflict in October 2023, when Israeli forces launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon for the first time since 2006.
Iran further escalated the situation by launching ballistic missiles at Israel, prompting retaliatory airstrikes on Iranian military facilities.
Continued Tensions and Uncertain Future
The meeting between President Biden and President Herzog is expected to address these complex and ongoing issues. With tensions remaining high and no clear path towards resolution, the future of the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon remains uncertain.