US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a stark warning to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, cautioning against potential global isolation should Israel launch an attack on the Palestinian city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip. The warning came during Blinken's one-on-one meeting with Netanyahu as part of a peace mission to the Middle East.
Amid escalating tensions over Israel's military operations in Gaza, Blinken emphasized the shared goal of defeating Hamas but underscored that a major ground operation in Rafah would not achieve this objective. He expressed concerns about the potential loss of civilian lives, disruption of humanitarian aid, and further isolation of Israel on the global stage.
In response, Netanyahu affirmed Israel's commitment to protecting civilians and its appreciation for US support in combating Hamas. However, he asserted that Israel would proceed with its plans for Rafah if Washington remained opposed, citing the need to address the threat posed by Hamas militants.
While Israel has previously discussed the complete destruction of Hamas, experts cast doubt on the feasibility of such a goal. Israel contends that Rafah serves as a key stronghold for Hamas, but its purported plan to evacuate civilians before an attack has not been publicly disclosed or shared with Washington.
Washington has cautioned against a ground assault in Rafah, citing the potential harm to displaced civilians and urging alternative approaches to address the conflict in Gaza.
Amid escalating tensions over Israel's military operations in Gaza, Blinken emphasized the shared goal of defeating Hamas but underscored that a major ground operation in Rafah would not achieve this objective. He expressed concerns about the potential loss of civilian lives, disruption of humanitarian aid, and further isolation of Israel on the global stage.
In response, Netanyahu affirmed Israel's commitment to protecting civilians and its appreciation for US support in combating Hamas. However, he asserted that Israel would proceed with its plans for Rafah if Washington remained opposed, citing the need to address the threat posed by Hamas militants.
While Israel has previously discussed the complete destruction of Hamas, experts cast doubt on the feasibility of such a goal. Israel contends that Rafah serves as a key stronghold for Hamas, but its purported plan to evacuate civilians before an attack has not been publicly disclosed or shared with Washington.
Washington has cautioned against a ground assault in Rafah, citing the potential harm to displaced civilians and urging alternative approaches to address the conflict in Gaza.
