Jake Sullivan, America’s National Security Adviser (NSA), is on a two-day visit to the Middle East. The American NSA is visiting Saudi Arabia on Saturday and will visit Israel on Sunday. Sullivan was initially supposed to travel to Saudi Arabia in early April, but the visit was postponed as he had cracked a rib. The trip to Israel comes at a time of rising tensions between the White House and the Israeli government over military operations in Rafah in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues to hunt for Hamas and continue its search for the over 130 untraced hostages taken in the October 7 terror attack.
U.S. President Joe Biden had paused the shipment of weapons including those of smart weapons to Israel last week over fears that the weapons will be used by the Israeli Defence Forces on Rafah in Southern Gaza. The Republican Majority House of Representatives approved The Israel Security Assistance Support Act with 224 votes for and 187 votes against providing weapons to Israel.
John Kirby, Pentagon spokesperson, has stated that Israel has a responsibility to target Hamas, including in Rafah, but added that the Israelis should target the terror organisation in the city in a manner that is effective, targeted and precise. Kirby went on to say that the Americans believe that the Israelis should not ‘smash into Rafah in an indiscriminate and reckless manner.’ The Pentagon spokesperson said that Sullivan will speak to Israel about other options apart from major operations in Rafah. Sullivan will also discuss negotiations that are currently underway to secure the release of hostages in Hamas’ captivity.
Sullivan, in the Saudi Arabia leg of his visit, will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss bilateral issues and will also discuss the conflict in Gaza and the overall security situation of the Middle East.
Dhruv Yadav
