After Gaza Hospital Blast, US President Joe Biden's Summit With Arab Leaders Cancelled

In the aftermath of the recent explosion at a Gaza hospital, the planned summit between US President Joe Biden and Arab leaders, intended to ease tensions, has been cancelled, reported Reuters.

The summit was cancelled by Jordan as it announced a mourning period after the blast. As a result, President Biden will now only visit Israel, postponing his trip to Jordan.

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas had already withdrawn from scheduled meetings in protest of the blast at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, which the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza attributed to an Israeli airstrike.

However, the Israeli military denied any involvement and claimed that a misfired rocket launched by Gaza terrorists caused the explosion.

Several videos have emerged, appearing to show the moment a rocket launched from Gaza fell short and exploded within Palestinian territory.

The cancellation of the Amman summit reflects a growing volatile situation in the region, which will put American influence to the test as President Biden embarks on his visit.

This high-stakes presidential trip illustrates President Biden's belief that the United States should maintain its central role on the global stage and that personal diplomacy can play a crucial role in resolving complex international issues.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been escalating, with no water, fuel, or food deliveries since Hamas's 7 October onslaught. Israel has recently resumed the supply of water to parts of Gaza amid warnings of an expected ground offensive.

As the humanitarian crisis grows, there is concern about the conflict spreading beyond Gaza's borders, including skirmishes on Israel's northern border with the Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

President Biden's travels are accompanied by significant security concerns, and rocket launches by Palestinians into Israel have disrupted visits by other US officials.

Additional Israeli airstrikes in Gaza could lead to further condemnation at a time when President Biden aims to demonstrate solidarity with the United States' closest ally in the region.

In Israel, President Biden was expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials. His plans included a meeting in Jordan with King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

The decision to scrap the Amman summit was made after President Biden consulted with Jordan's King Abdullah and in light of the mourning period announced by Abbas following the hospital blast.