U.S. President Joe Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday that an Israeli army operation in Rafah would deepen anarchy in Gaza they usually agreed that groups from both sides would meet in Washington to debate it, the White House mentioned.
White House nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan advised reporters the 2 international locations would have a complete dialogue on the way in which ahead in Gaza, the place a humanitarian disaster is raging after six months of combating.
The assembly may occur this week or subsequent, Sullivan mentioned, and no Rafah operation would proceed earlier than the talks.
“Anarchy reigns in areas that Israel’s military has cleared, but not stabilized” in Gaza and a humanitarian disaster would deepen if Israel had been to go forward with an offensive in Rafah, Sullivan mentioned, summarizing Biden’s message to Netanyahu.
“We’ve had many discussions in many different levels between our military, our intelligence, our diplomats or humanitarian experts, but we have not yet had the opportunity to have an all-encompassing comprehensive, integrated, strategic discussion…,” he mentioned.
The two leaders have had more and more tense relations over Gaza. Sullivan described the dialog as “businesslike” and mentioned it didn’t finish abruptly. Biden didn’t threaten to restrict U.S. help to Israel, he mentioned.
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Biden advised Netanyahu that he wants a coherent technique for Gaza, Sullivan mentioned, “rather than Israel go smashing into Rafah.” He reiterated U.S. assist for the Israeli effort to destroy Hamas militants who attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7.
Sullivan additionally confirmed that Marwan Issa, the No.3 chief inside Hamas’ ranks, was killed in an Israeli operation final week. Hamas has not commented.
The name was the primary between the 2 leaders since Feb. 15 and comes amid sharp tensions between Israel and its most steadfast ally over Netanyahu’s dealing with of the battle in Gaza.
Netanyahu mentioned the 2 males mentioned Israel’s dedication to realize all of the targets it had set out for the battle: eliminating Hamas, releasing all of the hostages and making certain Gaza would not pose a menace to Israel.
This can be finished “while providing the necessary humanitarian aid that helps achieve those goals,” he mentioned in a press release.
In a speech on Thursday, Senate Majority chief Chuck Schumer, a longtime supporter of Israel and the highest-ranking Jewish elected official, referred to as for brand spanking new elections in Israel and mentioned Netanyahu was an impediment to peace.
Biden praised the speech the next day and mentioned that Schumer had echoed the considerations of many Americans.
Netanyahu responded harshly on Sunday, telling CNN in an interview that Schumer’s speech was “totally inappropriate.”
Netanyahu reaffirmed to a cupboard assembly on Sunday that Israeli forces would thrust into Rafah, the final comparatively secure place within the tiny, crowded enclave, regardless of worldwide stress for Israel to keep away from additional civilian casualties.
–Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Doina Chiacu and Steve Holland, writing by David Ljunggren; Editing by Susan Heavey, Alex Richardson, Heather Timmons, Cynthia Osterman and Deepa Babington
