During a recent phone conversation between US President Joe Biden and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden voiced 'deep concerns' over Israel's plans for a major operation targeting Hamas in Rafah. This information was shared by a top national security official.
While Biden reiterated the US's support for Israel's right to self-defense, he also highlighted the potential risks associated with the planned operation in Rafah. Biden emphasized that the operation could have severe consequences for Palestinian civilians and could impede the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
In response to Biden's concerns, he urged Netanyahu to send a senior delegation of military leaders to Washington for further discussions. Netanyahu agreed to dispatch such a group, and the meeting is scheduled to take place at the end of this week or early next week.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized the importance of integrating humanitarian and political plans with any military strategy. He stressed that a clear strategic end game is essential for the success of military operations. Sullivan also noted the high civilian casualties in Gaza during the conflict.
Biden outlined three main areas of concern regarding the planned operation in Rafah:
- Civilians in Rafah lack safe shelter options
- Rafah serves as a crucial entry point for humanitarian assistance
- Egypt has expressed serious concerns about the potential military operation in Rafah
Sullivan described the phone call between Biden and Netanyahu as 'businesslike' and mentioned that it concluded without any abrupt endings. The dialogue between the two leaders focused on the need for a comprehensive approach that considers both military and humanitarian aspects.
