Middle East
From left: US President Joe Biden. Photo: AFP. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani. Photo: PM Sudani's office
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Monday discussed how to address Gaza’s “worsening humanitarian crisis” in the wake of the recent escalation of violence with Israel, stressing the need to prevent further expansion of the conflict.
“The two leaders discussed the importance of addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, in coordination with the UN and regional partners,” according to White House readout of a phone call between Biden and Sudani.
Sudani also highlighted the need to open humanitarian corridors to deliver aid to the civilians in Gaza, according to a statement from his office.
On Tuesday relief convoys that had been blocked on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, forced shut by Israeli airstrikes, headed towards the crossing, aid workers told AFP.
“The continuation of the aggression against Gaza arouses the anger of the people of the region and the world,” the statement cited the Iraqi premier as telling the US president.
Washington-Baghdad bilateral ties, coordination on advancing regional stability, and the need to contain the Israel-Gaza conflict from expanding further were also discussed during the phone call.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in a press conference on Tuesday that President Biden would visit Israel on Wednesday to reiterate US support to its ally and an "ironclad commitment to its security."
Hamas militants launched a multi-pronged air, ground, and sea offensive and penetrated into Israeli territory on October 7, resulting in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration the following day that the country was “embarking on a long and difficult war.”
Iraq has maintained its hardline stance in supporting the Palestinian cause, with Sudani calling the recent escalation of violence the "natural result" of Israel's crimes and violations against Palestinian people met by "international silence" over the years.
Over 4,000 people have been reported dead on both sides in the first 10 days of the war. The Israeli army has reported over 1,400 dead while Palestinian officials have placed their death toll at 2,778.
Hamas has called on “resistance fighters” in Arab countries to join its campaign dubbed “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” against Israel while the US has reiterated its support for Israel, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announcing that Washington would be sending equipment and munitions to Israel, the first shipment of which arrived at Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel last week.
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