At a meeting with US Secretary of State Blinken, the Israeli Prime Minister announced that he would carry out the offensive in Rafah without US support if necessary – whatever the cost.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to carry out an offensive in Rafah alone if necessary. This is the only way to defeat Hamas in the Gaza Strip and destroy the last battalions of the Islamist organization, he said at a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, according to his office. “I told him that I hope we will do this with US support, but if necessary we will do it on our own.”
Given the dire humanitarian situation and the many civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip, Washington’s tone towards the Israeli leadership has sharpened significantly in recent weeks. The USA wants to dissuade Israel from a ground offensive in Rafah.
In the city, it is estimated that 1.5 million of the 2.2 million residents of the Gaza Strip are currently seeking shelter in a confined space from the fighting in other parts of the coastal area.
Netanyahu also signaled to Blinken that Israel recognizes the need to evacuate civilians in the Gaza Strip from combat zones. Israel also wants to take care of the humanitarian needs of the people in the coastal strip.
Blinking: lives are in danger
After a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated America’s rejection of Israel’s planned military offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
“We share Israel’s goal of defeating (Islamist) Hamas, which is responsible for the worst massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust,” he said before departing Tel Aviv. “A major military ground offensive in Rafah is not the way to do it,” he added. “It would risk the deaths of even more civilians, even greater chaos in the delivery of humanitarian aid.” For Israel, it also means the risk of further global isolation.
Blinken warns Israel of endless war
According to a media report, Blinken also warned Israel not to continue the war in Gaza without a clear strategy. Israel’s security and its place in the world are in danger, Blinken said at the meeting with Netanyahu and the war cabinet, the news portal “Axios” reported, citing an unnamed source who is said to be familiar with the content of the conversation.
Israel needs a coherent plan, otherwise it will become entangled in an uprising that it will not be able to get under control, Blinken said. If the war continued as it has, the Islamist Hamas would remain in control of the Gaza Strip or anarchy would break out, which would breed even more terrorism. According to the source, the portal continues, Netanyahu is said to have replied that “we will have our hands full for decades.”
During his visit to Israel, Blinken also wanted to talk to the government there about the ongoing negotiations to release the hostages. The US Secretary of State previously held talks in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah and in the Egyptian capital Cairo.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
