Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday as war with Hamas drags into its second week

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday in an effort to mitigate the expansion of the war between Israel and Hamas.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has made two trips to Israel since the war broke out on Oct. 7, announced Biden’s trip during a press conference at the U.S. Embassy in Israel.

“President Biden will again make clear, as he has done unequivocally since Hamas slaughter of more than 1400 people, including at least 30 Americans, that Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend his people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks,” Blinken said following a nearly eight-hour meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Blinken said Biden will also work to establish a plan for the safe passage of critical humanitarian aid to Gaza.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on a call that Biden will also travel to Amman, Jordan where he will meet with Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisiand and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.