White House statement on 'Rafah': 'They gave us assurances'

US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby stated that Israel has agreed to listen to US concerns before attacking Rafah, saying, "They have given us assurances that they will not go into Rafah until we have had an opportunity to share our perspectives and concerns with them."

WILL EXERT PRESSURE

Noting that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit the region next week, Kirby stated that during his visit, Blinken will exert pressure for a temporary ceasefire that the US wants to last at least six weeks. Kirby said, "We hope that after a six-week temporary ceasefire, we might be able to do something more permanent."

Stating that the number of aid trucks reaching the northern Gaza Strip has begun to increase, Kirby added, "The Israelis have begun to fulfill the commitments that President Biden asked them to fulfill."