WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden on Saturday spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging both to allow humanitarian assistance to the region and affirmed his support for efforts to protect civilians.
The weekend calls in Washington came as the United States said it was moving up a second carrier strike group in support of Israel, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken intensified diplomatic efforts across the Middle East and beyond to rally a global response to prevent the Israel-Palestine war from expanding, according to US media.
Blinken met called on Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh before stopping in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as he sought ways to help civilians trapped in between the fighting and to address the intensifying humanitarian crisis.
He also called his Chinese counterpart as Palestinians struggled to flee from areas of Gaza Strip hit by the Israeli forces before an expected land offensive.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as well on Saturday spoke with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant, stressing the significance of safeguarding civilians. Austin offered updates on Washington’s efforts to boost air defense capabilities and munitions for Israeli troops that he said were aimed at stemming escalation of war, according to a readout of the call.
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The US administration is sending the the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean to assist Israel.
The Eisenhower will join the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group, which is already sailing close to Israel, to bolster Washington’s presence there with a host of fighter aircraft, destroyers, and cruisers.
While Biden has spoken to Netanyahu multiple times since the war began, Saturday’s call was his first to Mahmoud Abbas, who runs the Palestinian Authority which controls the West Bank. According to the call’s readout, Abbas briefed Biden on efforts to bring assistance to Palestinian people, especially in Gaza.
In a statement, Abbas’ office said the Palestinian leader told Joe Biden that he completely rejects the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
Biden reiterates support for Israel
Biden also spoke with Netanyahu to reiterate unwavering Washiongton’s support for Israel, according to the readout. He briefed the him on regional efforts to ensure civilian access to water, food, and medical care.
The number of US citizens killed rose to twenty-nine, US officials said Saturday, and fifteen were unaccounted for, as well as one lawful permanent resident.
