WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House said Tuesday that “prudent contingency planning” is underway to evacuate Americans from the Middle East in case the Israel-Hamas war spreads into a broad regional conflict.
“And certainly evacuations are one of those things.”The White House addressed the contingency plans amid growing concerns that the 18-day-old Israel-Hamas war could further escalate.
“The two leaders agreed on pursuing broader diplomatic efforts to maintain stability across the region and prevent the conflict from expanding,” the White House added.
But talks were interrupted after Hamas militants stormed from the blockaded Gaza Strip where Palestinians live into nearby Israeli towns.
“This is a happy occasion," Biden said at the start of the White House ceremony.
Persons:
John Kirby, ”, ” Kirby, Israel, Joe Biden, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Biden, ” Biden, Israel ”, Sheldon Weinbaum, “
Organizations:
WASHINGTON, White, National Security, U.S, The Washington Post, Saudi Arabian Crown, Hamas, Biden, Pentagon, Gaza, City College of New, West Bank
Locations:
Israel, U.S, Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Washington, United States, City College of New York, israel