Israeli and American officials told Axios on Tuesday that Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, will travel to Saudi Arabia and Israel this weekend amid rising concerns about a large-scale Israeli attack on Rafah in southern Gaza. Axios reports that this trip comes as the U.S. government is trying to dissuade Israel from a potential full-scale assault on the city of Rafah. President Joe Biden has previously warned against a large attack on Rafah. A senior American official told Axios on Tuesday that the U.S. government has reached an understanding with the Israeli government that operations in Rafah will not be significantly expanded before Jake Sullivan's visit to these two countries. According to the report, the White House hopes to extend this commitment until a face-to-face meeting between senior U.S. and Israeli officials in Washington in the days following Jake Sullivan's trip to the region. Jake Sullivan's trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia also includes a long-term effort to advance towards a 'grand agreement' between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, which could involve normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The National Security Advisor was supposed to travel to Saudi Arabia last month, but the trip was postponed due to a minor accident and chest injury. However, tensions between Israel and the U.S. over military operations in southern Gaza have escalated since then. The U.S., which is the largest supplier of weapons and ammunition to Israel, announced last week that the delivery of several thousand heavy 2,000-pound bombs and other types of bombs to Israel has currently been halted. The Biden administration has repeatedly stated since the beginning of the extremist Hamas group's attack on Israel on October 6 and the start of Israel's military operations in Gaza that its support for Israel's war against Hamas is as strong as steel. Meanwhile, Joe Biden and other American officials have repeatedly expressed their concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza and the lack of access for citizens in Gaza to humanitarian aid.
White House National Security Advisor to Visit Saudi Arabia and Israel This Weekend
Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, is set to visit Saudi Arabia and Israel this weekend amid concerns over a potential Israeli attack on Rafah in Gaza. The U.S. is attempting to prevent Israel from escalating military operations while also working towards a long-term agreement that could normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. This visit is significant as it reflects the U.S.'s ongoing involvement and influence in Middle Eastern geopolitics.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Jake Sullivan is traveling to Saudi Arabia and Israel to address concerns over a potential Israeli military escalation in Gaza, particularly in Rafah. The U.S. aims to prevent further military operations while also working towards a long-term agreement that could normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
- The U.S. has halted the delivery of heavy bombs to Israel amid rising tensions.
- Sullivan's visit follows a previous postponement due to a minor injury.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The U.S. has historically supported Israel, but rising civilian casualties in Gaza have led to increased scrutiny of its military actions. The potential normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel could significantly alter regional dynamics.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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