Biden to head to Israel, Jordan as concerns mount that Israel-Hamas conflict will spread

A huge explosion at a Gaza hospital has derailed the diplomatic efforts led by the US to mobilise support for "Israel's right to defend itself" with a summit meeting between American PresidentPresidentPresident Joe Biden and other leaders in Jordan's Amman being called off.

Hundreds of people are feared dead after a deadly blast at a hospital in Gaza for which Hamas and Israel traded charges holding each other responsible for the incident.

Biden is scheduled to arrive in Israel today on a solidarity visit to express support for Israel.

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi announced that Biden's summit in Amman scheduled to take place on Wednesday with Jordan's King Abdullah, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has been cancelled.