Biden scheduled to meet with Jordan’s King during discussions on Gaza

President Joe Biden is set to meet Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House on Monday amidst ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The chances of a Gaza ceasefire seem slim as Hamas and Israeli officials continue to blame each other for the impasse.

Hamas has reiterated its demand for an end to the war in exchange for releasing hostages, a demand that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected. On Sunday, Hamas attacked the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, resulting in the deaths of three Israeli soldiers.

A Jordanian diplomat informed Reuters that Monday’s meeting between Biden and King Abdullah is an informal private meeting rather than a formal bilateral meeting.

The meeting comes as the Biden administration and Israeli officials clash over Israel’s planned military action in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Israel has instructed Palestinians to evacuate certain parts of the city, exacerbating tensions further.

Biden and King Abdullah last met in February to discuss various challenges, including the escalating situation in Gaza and the suffering of Palestinian civilians. Arab states, including Jordan, have been critical of Israel’s actions and have called for a ceasefire since mid-October as civilian casualties have risen.

The conflict began after Hamas launched a cross-border raid on October 7, resulting in numerous casualties and hostages. The ongoing assault has led to extensive casualties in Gaza.

Biden recently reaffirmed his stance on Israel’s potential invasion of Rafah during a call with Netanyahu in late April. He has urged Israel not to undertake a ground offensive in Rafah without a plan to protect Palestinian civilians.

As pro-Palestinian protests grow on U.S. college campuses, Biden faces increasing political pressure to urge Israel to hold off on any invasion. While he addressed the campus unrest last week, Biden stated that the protests have not influenced his Middle East policies.