U.S. President Joe Biden held discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the conversation, Biden advised Netanyahu not to initiate a military operation in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah without a clear plan for protecting civilians. This was reported by the White House press service.
"Biden also addressed the situation in Rafah, emphasizing that, in his view, a military operation should not be started without a reliable and feasible plan," according to a statement from the White House press service.
It was added that such a plan must ensure the protection of the civilian population in the area.
During the negotiations, the leaders of the U.S. and Israel also discussed issues related to the release of hostages held by the Palestinian movement HAMAS. Furthermore, they resolved matters concerning the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, concluded the press service.
According to a statement by John Kirby, the Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council of the White House, a large-scale operation by the Israel Defense Forces in Rafah without a plan to protect civilians would be disastrous.
Netanyahu ordered the army to prepare for combat in Rafah, and two days later, he instructed to prepare a plan for civilian evacuation and the destruction of HAMAS battalions.
The situation in the Middle East escalated on October 7, 2023, following the infiltration of HAMAS militants into Israeli territory, leading to the blockade of Gaza and military actions in other areas.
