The US called on Netanyahu not to carry out the operation in Rafah.
Prime Minister of Israel Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday, March 18, agreed to send a team of Israeli officials to Washington to discuss with Biden administration officials the proposed operation in Rafah.
About this writes AP.
It is noted that an agreement to negotiate Rafah was reached during a conversation between Biden and Netanyahu on Monday. The White House has expressed skepticism about Netanyahu's plan to carry out an operation in the southern city of Rafah, home to some 1.5 million displaced Palestinians, as Israel seeks to destroy Hamas after a deadly militant attack on October 7.
National Security Advisor to the President of the United States Jake Sullivansaid that during the call, Biden again urged Netanyahu not to carry out the operation in Rafah. At upcoming talks, he said, U.S. officials will outline “an alternative approach that would target key Hamas elements in Rafah and secure the Egypt-Gaza border without a ground invasion.”
“The President rejected and again today concluded that raising the issue of Rafah is the same as raising the issue of defeating Hamas” , Sullivan said .
“Our position is that Hamas should not be allowed a safe haven in Rafah or anywhere else, but a major ground operation there would be a mistake. It would lead to more innocent deaths civilian population, will worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis, deepen the anarchy in Gaza and further lead to the international isolation of Israel,” – the message says.
Biden did not endorse Schumer's call for election, but said he thought it was a “good speech” that reflected the concerns of many Americans. According to Sullivan, Netanyahu expressed concern about Schumer's calls for new elections.
Biden administration officials have warned that they will not support the Rafah operation unless Israel presents a credible plan to ensure the safety of innocent Palestinian civilians. Israel has not yet submitted a plan, White House officials said.
As a reminder, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he will continue the military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, where it is planned to resume negotiations on ending fire.
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