Biden Caution to Netanyahu: Ensure Safety in Gaza Before Military Action

President Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reconsider a planned military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah during a recent call. Biden emphasized the need for a “credible and executable plan” to ensure the safety and support of over one million people sheltering in Rafah. The president’s caution marks the first public intervention against Israel’s intended operation in Rafah, with other administration officials stressing Israel’s responsibility to protect civilians.

A senior administration official revealed that there are currently 1.3 million people in Rafah facing dire humanitarian needs after seeking refuge from conflict in other parts of Gaza. The call with Netanyahu focused on preventing harm to civilians, and U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield emphasized that, given the current conditions, Israel’s military operation in Rafah “cannot proceed.”

Israel’s plan to intensify military operations in Rafah is part of a broader strategy targeting Hamas militants in response to an October attack on Israel. In retaliation, Israel has reportedly killed nearly 30,000 Palestinians, and it estimates that 103 hostages are still held in Gaza. Last week, President Biden criticized Israel’s response, calling it “over the top.”

During the call, Israeli officials assured their U.S. counterparts that they wouldn’t proceed with the operation without evacuating civilians from Rafah. The conversation between Biden and Netanyahu primarily focused on the potential for a hostage deal. The two leaders spent a significant portion of the 45-minute call discussing efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a sustained pause in fighting.

Negotiators from Israel, Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are working on a proposal for a cessation of hostilities in exchange for the release of Israelis abducted by Hamas in the October attack. While there is a framework proposal in place, there are significant gaps that need to be addressed. Despite the challenges, there has been notable progress in recent weeks.

The remarks from Biden come after Netanyahu rejected a cease-fire plan from Hamas, deeming it “delusional” as it would have left Hamas in power in the Gaza Strip at the end of the phased truce.