Biden, Netanyahu to explore alternatives to Rafah ground offensive

US President Joe Biden talked with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and warned against any possibility of Israel conducting any military operation in Rafah, the southernmost city of Gaza, where more than a million Palestinians have taken refuge. Both leaders spoke on the phone about the latest developments, including Israel’s military operations, increasing humanitarian assistance going to Gaza, and efforts to bring hostages home.

The US President emphasized the importance of defeating Hamas in Gaza while also safeguarding civilians and ensuring the safe delivery of aid across the region.

Biden and Netanyahu agreed to arrange a meeting in Washington for their teams to discuss alternative strategies that target key Hamas elements and secure the Egypt-Gaza border without a major ground operation in Rafah.

Biden asked Netanyahu to send a high-level team of military, intelligence, and humanitarian officials to Washington to discuss an alternative approach that would target Hamas in Rafah and secure the Egypt-Gaza border without a major ground offensive.

US national security advisor said that Netanyahu has agreed to Biden’s request and said that the meeting would be held at the end of this week or early next week.

Biden also confirmed that he had asked Netanyahu to “send a team to Washington to discuss ways to target Hamas without a major ground operation in Rafah.”

In the call, Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to achieving its war goals, including eliminating Hamas and releasing hostages.