Joe Biden postpones meet with Israel PM Naftali Bennett to monitor Afghan situation

United States President Joe Biden has decided to delay his
in-person meeting with Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett following the
suicide bomb attack outside Kabul airport on Thursday, reports The Associated
Press. More than a dozen people were killed in the attack, including some US
citizens, and the death toll is expected to rise.

Also Read | Taliban condemns bombing outside Kabul airport, point fingers at US forces

The White House was expected to host Naftali Bennett, Israel’s
new prime minister, who is on his first visit to the United States since taking
office. President Joe Biden was also scheduled to meet a bipartisan group of governors
who have expressed willingness to help resettle Afghan refugees fleeing Taliban
rule.

Also read | Kabul suicide attack: At least 13 dead, several injured

However, the terrorist attack, currently being ascribed to
ISIS-K by certain US sources and the media, has put Biden’s plans on hold. Joe
Biden is reportedly monitoring the developments in Afghanistan following the
attack. More than 1,500 US passport-holders are reportedly still in
Afghanistan.

Joe Biden’s meetings with the Israeli prime minister have been
delayed indefinitely while his meeting with the governors has been cancelled.

Also Read | Kabul airport blasts: Officials claim US personnel among other casualties

On Thursday, two suicide bombers targeted crowds gathered near
the Kabul airport days before US’ official withdrawal from Afghanistan. A US official
told The Associated Press that he “definitely believed” that the attack was
carried out by the Islamic State. The chapter of the Islamic State active in
Afghanistan is called Islamic State-Khorasan or ISIS-K. 

Also Read | Islamic State behind Kabul airport attack, says US official

Several of US’ western allies have requested the Biden
administration to extend the deadline of troops from Afghanistan. But the White
House has remained steadfast that it seeks to withdraw all troops from the country
by August 31.

When ABC News asked about whether evacuations from Afghanistan
could end Friday, US ambassador to Afghanistan Ross Wilson declined to comment.
Wilson said that “there are safe ways to go to the airport”. However, the
position on that is expected to change after Thursday’s attack outside the
Kabul airport.   

(With inputs from The Associated Press)