President Joe Biden has requested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to send a team of top Israeli officials to Washington in an effort to prevent a large-scale ground invasion of Rafah, which the Biden administration fears would lead to a humanitarian crisis. The meeting, expected to take place early next week, aims to address this pressing issue, although it remains uncertain if it will succeed in deterring Israel from entering the southern Gaza city.
Despite President Biden's strong warnings to Netanyahu during a recent phone call, there are indications that the Israeli leader is determined to proceed with the invasion of Rafah. Netanyahu emphasized his commitment to eliminating battalions in Rafah through a ground incursion, despite the concerns raised by the U.S. administration.
Netanyahu's remarks during a speech to the defense and foreign affairs committee in the Knesset highlighted the potential clash between his intentions and Biden's stance on the matter. The invitation for Israeli officials to engage in talks in Washington poses risks for Biden, as it could impact his image during a reelection campaign if Israel proceeds with the invasion despite U.S. warnings.
While some U.S. officials are not overly concerned about assuming responsibility for Israel's actions, discussions have been held regarding potential responses in case of a ground invasion. Calls from Democratic allies in Congress to reconsider military aid to Israel in the event of an operation in Rafah have added to the pressure on the Biden administration.
The recent call between Biden and Netanyahu was described as a constructive conversation that aimed to address areas of agreement and disagreement. However, Netanyahu's insistence on the necessity of a ground invasion appears to conflict with Biden's reservations about such a move, as expressed by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
