White House Urges Israel to Find Alternatives to Assault on Rafah
In a recent statement, White House spokesman John F. Kirby warned Israel against launching a major assault on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, where more than a million Palestinians are currently sheltering. Kirby emphasized that while President Biden shares Israel’s goal of eradicating the terrorist group Hamas, a large-scale operation in Rafah would not lead to a sustainable defeat of the group.
The United States has expressed concerns about the potential for widespread civilian casualties in Rafah, where more than 34,000 people have already died since the conflict began. President Biden recently made the decision to pause the delivery of 3,500 bombs to Israel and threatened to withhold artillery if Israel proceeds with a major operation in the city.
Kirby reassured that the U.S. remains committed to supporting Israel in its efforts to combat Hamas, but believes there are better ways to target the group in Rafah without resorting to a ground invasion. He highlighted ongoing cooperation between the two countries in areas such as border security and targeting Hamas leaders.
The tensions between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been escalating, with Netanyahu vowing to move forward with an invasion of Rafah even without global support. Despite the pause in certain weapons shipments, Israel continues to receive significant military aid from the U.S.
As the situation in Gaza remains volatile, the international community is closely watching to see how Israel will proceed in its efforts to combat Hamas in Rafah. President Biden’s decision to withhold certain weapons shipments underscores the complex dynamics at play in the region.
Reporting from Washington, Erica L. Green.
