I am very concerned about the possibility of Israel’s military operation in Rafah: Joe Biden told Netanyahu

Washington. US President Joe Biden has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he is deeply concerned about the possibility of Israel launching a major military operation in Rafah, similar to Gaza City and Khan Yunis. America’s National Security Advisor Jack Sullivan gave this information. Sullivan told his regular news conference on Monday that Netanyahu, in a phone call with Biden on Monday, agreed to target Hamas militants in the southern Gaza city of Rafah along the Egypt-Gaza border without any alternative means and without a major ground attack. Agreed to send a team of Israeli officials to Washington to discuss making Israel safe.

This is the first time in a month that the two leaders have spoken on the phone. Sullivan said that Biden and Netanyahu discussed Rafah in detail. “The President explained why he is so concerned about the possibility of Israel launching a major military operation in Rafah, similar to Gaza City and Khan Yunis,” he said. The national security adviser said that more than 1 million people Have taken refuge in Rafah. He said they moved from Gaza City to Khan Yunis and then to Rafah, now having no safe place to go. He said that other major cities of Gaza have been destroyed on a large scale.

He said Israel has not disclosed to the US or the world its plan on how or where it will safely relocate those civilians. Sullivan said Rafah is a major entry point for humanitarian aid from Egypt into Gaza and the military operation in the city would cut it off. “Rafah is located on the border with Egypt and Egypt has expressed deep concerns about a major military operation there and as a result has raised questions about its future relations with Israel,” he said. “We believe that Hamas should not be given sanctuary in Rafah or anywhere else. But it would be a mistake to launch a major grassroots campaign there. This will result in many innocent lives, will worsen an already serious humanitarian crisis, will increase chaos in Gaza and will further isolate Israel internationally.

Sullivan said the two leaders also discussed ongoing negotiations for an immediate ceasefire for several weeks in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas and other militants in Gaza. Biden reiterated his “unwavering commitment” to ensuring Israel’s long-term security and said Israel has the right to attack Hamas, which has carried out the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

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