Critical 'Rafah' call between Biden and Netanyahu

The White House issued a written statement regarding the phone call held yesterday between Biden and Netanyahu, the first in about a month.

According to the statement, Biden told Netanyahu that urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza must be significantly increased.

Emphasizing Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas, Biden also underscored that Israel has a responsibility to protect civilians.

The statement, which noted that the ongoing hostage exchange deal process between Israel and Hamas in Qatar was also discussed, included the following: "The President underscored his deep concerns about the prospect of Israel conducting a major ground operation in Rafah."

Biden and Netanyahu, who agreed that American and Israeli officials should meet in Washington as soon as possible to discuss how an operation could be conducted in Rafah without a "major ground operation," also addressed the issue of securing the border between Gaza and Egypt.

Speaking at a press briefing yesterday regarding the matter, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had stated that the US opposes Israel conducting a "major ground operation" in Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinian civilians have taken refuge.

News Source: AA