US President Joe Biden Suggests Possible Link Between Hamas Attack and Ambitious Economic Corridor

| 26 October 2023

| Christie Anto

Washington, D.C., USA - President Joe Biden has expressed his belief that Hamas's recent terrorist attack on Israel may be connected to the unveiling of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) during the G-20 Summit in New Delhi, marking the second time he has mentioned this possibility in less than a week. The President made these remarks during a joint news conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, acknowledging that his assessment is based on instinct rather than concrete evidence.

Hamas's unprecedented attacks on October 7 resulted in the tragic loss of over 1,400 lives and prompted a massive Israeli counter-offensive. In addressing the situation, President Biden stated, "I'm convinced one of the reasons Hamas attacked when they did, and I have no proof of this, just my instinct tells me, is because of the progress we were making towards regional integration for Israel, and regional integration overall. We can't leave that work behind."

The IMEEC, a comprehensive economic corridor project, was jointly announced by leaders from the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union during the G-20 Summit in September. It is seen by many as an alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative.

This transformative corridor consists of two major components: an eastern corridor connecting India to the Gulf region and a northern corridor linking the Gulf region to Europe. The initiative aims to strengthen economic ties and infrastructural connectivity across this vast expanse, potentially reshaping the geopolitical landscape.

President Biden revealed that in the past few weeks, he had been engaged in discussions with key leaders in the Middle East, including King Abdullah of Jordan, President Sisi of Egypt, President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. These conversations centered around fostering hope for a brighter future in the region, emphasizing the importance of working toward greater integration for Israel while ensuring that the aspirations of the Palestinian people are a fundamental part of that vision.

While the President's comments underscore the potential importance of the IMEEC announcement as a contributing factor to the recent violence, it is essential to note that these remarks are speculative in nature and not supported by concrete evidence. The situation in the Middle East remains complex, and multiple factors contribute to the ongoing conflict.

The international community continues to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East, with hopes that diplomatic efforts will ultimately lead to lasting peace and stability in the region, while the IMEEC project continues to be a topic of interest and discussion among global leaders.