Putin, Biden, Xi Jinping… world leaders who’ve taken sides in Israel-Hamas war

On October 7, the Palestinian Hamas militant group launched a coordinated land, sea, and air assault on Israel, with hundreds of gunmen infiltrating communities near the Gaza Strip.

Gaza is a narrow strip of land sandwiched between Israel and the Mediterranean Sea, but with a short southern border with Egypt.

Today, most Palestinian refugees and their descendants live in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as in neighbouring Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

So far, at least 1,400 Israelis have been killed, while the country’s military says 199 soldiers and civilians, including women and children, are being held hostage in Gaza.

More than 2,700 Palestinians have also been killed in numerous air strikes against Gaza by the Israeli military, while Israel has imposed a total blockade on the territory, denying it food, fuel and other essentials.

As the age-long war rages on, world leaders have weighed in. Many have condemned Hamas, some have laid the blame at Israel’s door, others have chosen to draw a fine line.

The Israel-Hamas conflict has also come at a time of power tussles between world leaders over global dominance.

Which world leaders are taking sides in the Israel-Hamas conflict and how will it affect global politics?

BIDEN TO VISIT ISRAEL ON WEDNESDAY IN SHOW OF SUPPORT

Over the weekend, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister, invited United States President Joe Biden to visit Israel “soon”.

At the time, it was not clear how advanced the discussions were, or when a possible trip might occur.

However, on Tuesday, Antony Blinken, US secretary of state, announced Biden’s planned visit.

Blinken said Netanyahu had agreed to develop a plan to get humanitarian aid to Gaza civilians and added that Biden would provide the support needed for Israel to defeat Hamas.

“The president will hear from Israel what it needs to defend its people as we continue to work with Congress to meet those needs,” Blinken said.

The secretary of state added that the president will also “hear from Israel how it will conduct its operations in a way that minimises civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas”.

So far, Biden has been tactical in his approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict and has not expressly encouraged a ceasefire, but has issued strong warnings about protecting civilian lives.

Asked if Hamas must be completely eliminated, Biden said: “Yes I do”.

XI JINPING AND PUTIN TO MEET AS CRITICISMS OF ISRAEL INTENSIFY

As Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to be treated as a pariah by the West, he has continued to solidify his relationship with China and North Korea.

Although Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put Beijing under intense scrutiny from the West, Xi Jinping, Chinese leader, has continued to claim neutrality in the war.

Sanction-ridden Russia has also become heavily dependent on China for goods and energy purchases, and both nations have deepened cooperation across more areas since the start of the war.

On Wednesday, the two most powerful autocrats are set to meet in Beijing to underscore their shared vision in toppling an international order they claim is dominated by the US and its democratic allies.

But their slated discussion has raised eyebrows among analysts and international observers.

After the leaders met in China in 2022, Russia attacked Ukraine three weeks later.

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, said Putin and Jinping will “most likely” discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during their meeting.

Beijing and Moscow have taken a different path from the US and criticised Israel’s actions, while calling for a ceasefire.

China said it will send its envoy to the Middle East to encourage talks and condemned “all acts that harm civilians”.

FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, BRITAIN PLEDGE SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL