President Biden Urgently Warns Netanyahu Against Offensive in Gaza City of Rafah as Death Toll Rises

President Joe Biden Urgently Warns Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Against Offensive in Gaza

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a bid to prevent further escalation in the ongoing conflict, President Joe Biden strongly cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against launching a major offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The growing divide between the two leaders, coupled with the mounting Palestinian death toll, has raised concerns over the potential repercussions of such an offensive.

A Plea to Avert More Deaths and Despair

Biden and his top aides have consistently urged Israeli officials to avoid actions that would exacerbate the death toll and worsen the already dire situation in Gaza. The tension between Netanyahu and Biden comes at a time when both leaders face mounting pressure from various factions. Biden, in particular, is confronted with protests on college campuses, while Netanyahu must contend with families of Israeli hostages demanding a cease-fire.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby emphasized the president’s stance, saying, “The president doesn’t want to see operations in Rafah that put at greater risk the more than a million people that are seeking refuge there.”

Constructive Conversation Amid Escalating Israeli Actions

Describing the Biden-Netanyahu call as “constructive,” the White House openly expressed its mounting concern over Israel’s intensified actions in Rafah. On Monday, the Israeli military ordered approximately 100,000 Palestinians to evacuate from the city, while “targeted” strikes were carried out in its eastern part. Yet, White House officials do not believe these actions amount to the widescale attack Netanyahu has been threatening. Nonetheless, they closely monitor the situation.

A Deepening Humanitarian Crisis

As the conflict persists, the humanitarian situation in large parts of Gaza continues to deteriorate rapidly. The head of the United Nations World Food Program warned of a “full-blown famine” in the northern Gaza strip, which has endured nearly seven months of war.

Cease-Fire Negotiations and Hostage Concerns

Before the call between Biden and Netanyahu, Israel announced the evacuation of Palestinians from Rafah. Shortly thereafter, Hamas stated its acceptance of an Egyptian-Qatari proposal for a cease-fire. Yet, Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari affirmed continued operations in Gaza while the cease-fire proposal was being deliberated. The Israeli War Cabinet, unanimously approving a Rafah military operation, expressed the simultaneous commitment to cease-fire negotiations.

The hostages held by Hamas remain a focal point in the conflict. Biden maintains that reaching a cease-fire agreement with Hamas is the best course of action to safeguard the lives of the hostages. Hamas purportedly accepts a hostage deal, signaling a possible breakthrough in negotiations. The response from Hamas is being closely examined by CIA Director William Burns in consultation with regional allies.

International Support for Cease-Fire Efforts

Egypt, Hamas, and various other officials have expressed the intention to implement the cease-fire in a series of stages. These stages would include the release of hostages by Hamas and Israeli troop pullbacks from Gaza. Biden conveyed to Netanyahu his continued belief in the viability of a cease-fire with Hamas, reinforcing the goal of freeing the Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

King Abdullah II Urges Caution

In a private lunch meeting at the White House, Biden also discussed the conflict and hostage situation with King Abdullah II of Jordan. The king, cautioning against an Israeli offensive, conveyed concerns about the potential for a new tragedy in Rafah.

Netanyahu’s Firm Stand for Israel’s Safety

In a fiery speech rejecting growing international pressure, Netanyahu declared during the country’s annual Holocaust memorial day, “If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone.” The Israeli prime minister defiantly reiterated his commitment to defending the nation’s interests and criticized attempts to intervene.

Netanyahu assured Biden that the Kerem Shalom crossing, essential for humanitarian aid deliveries, would remain open. Last week, Israeli officials had briefed the Biden administration on a plan to evacuate Palestinian civilians from Rafah, which the U.S. officials welcomed but sought further details on.

Continued Monitoring of the Situation

As tensions remain high, the White House and international observers attentively monitor the situation, seeking opportunities for constructive dialogue and a lasting cease-fire agreement.

AP writers Tara Copp in Washington and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed reporting.