Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced pushback from U.S. President Joe Biden over his plans to launch an offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Despite Biden’s warnings, Netanyahu reiterated the need for Israeli forces to enter Rafah to eliminate Hamas military capabilities and ensure the safety of hostages.
With more than 31,000 Palestinians killed and a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the dire situation, stating that 100% of the population in Gaza is considered food insecure. Despite pressure from families of hostages and Cabinet members to take a more aggressive approach, Netanyahu agreed to listen to American concerns and explore ideas for humanitarian aid in Gaza.
President Biden has requested a senior interagency team to visit Washington for discussions on alternatives to a ground offensive in Rafah. The U.S. believes that a major operation in Rafah would worsen the humanitarian crisis and isolate Israel internationally. Rafah, currently sheltering more than half of Gaza’s population and serving as a primary entry point for humanitarian assistance, would be at risk if invaded.
An invasion of Rafah could put humanitarian aid at risk and displace the population sheltering there. The international community is closely monitoring the situation as tensions continue to escalate in the region. Stay tuned to The Bib Theorists for more updates on this developing story.
