Recently, President Joe Biden of the United States and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in talks on Monday regarding the escalating crisis in Gaza. This discussion unfolded as Israel’s military issued warnings to civilians in the southern city of Rafah to evacuate.
These warnings came before Israeli airstrikes hit the area early on Monday, raising questions about a potential ground operation.
The conversation between Biden and Netanyahu, lasting approximately 30 minutes, occurred shortly after Israel’s military advised Palestinians to vacate parts of Rafah, where over a million people are seeking shelter.
Noting, the US has expressed opposition to a significant ground invasion of Rafah, conveying this stance to the Israeli government through a spokesperson from the White House National Security Council.
Meanwhile, Biden is scheduled to meet with King Abdullah II of Jordan to further deliberate on the ongoing conflict.
These talks encountered obstacles primarily due to Hamas’ insistence on a permanent ceasefire, a condition Netanyahu has been hesitant to accept.
Netanyahu has reiterated Israel’s intention to completely dismantle Hamas from Gaza, a stance further solidified by Hamas’ rocket attack on Sunday, which claimed the lives of four Israeli soldiers at the Kerem Shalom border crossing.
Responding to Israel’s warning, a significant number of civilians began evacuating Rafah, although the duration required for the majority to depart remains uncertain. Israeli officials privately estimate this process could extend over weeks, while the US has voiced skepticism regarding the safety of such evacuations.
Netanyahu has previously stated that civilians in Rafah would be relocated before any military action. With a population of around 1.4 million, the majority of whom sought refuge there following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October, concerns about the humanitarian impact of an attack on Rafah are widespread.
The Israel Defense Forces have emphasized their commitment to targeting terrorist organizations while urging residents of eastern Rafah to relocate to an “expanded humanitarian area” near Khan Younis, another city in Gaza.
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