Israel Must Have a Plan to Protect Civilians in Potential Gaza Operation, President Biden Warns
RAFAH, Gaza Strip – U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his concerns to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a potential military operation in the Gaza Strip town of Rafah. Biden emphasized the importance of having a “credible and executable” plan to protect civilians in a densely populated area like Rafah, the White House said.
This marks the strongest language used by the president on the issue to date. Just last week, Biden referred to Israel’s military response in Gaza as “over the top.” He also called for urgent and specific steps to bolster humanitarian aid. They discussed the matter for 45 minutes, as reported by Israel’s Channel 13 television.
The conversation primarily revolved around the possibility of a ceasefire agreement. Following weeks of diplomacy, a “framework” for a deal is now mostly in place. This deal could lead to the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a cessation of fighting.
The negotiations are progressing, but there are still some gaps that need to be bridged. Although details were not shared, a U.S. administration official, speaking anonymously, revealed that the military pressure on Hamas in the southern city of Khan Younis in recent weeks has helped bring the group closer to accepting a deal.
While Netanyahu’s office declined to comment, Hamas’ Al-Aqsa television station stated that any invasion of Rafah would jeopardize the ongoing talks mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar.
Egypt Threatens to Suspend Peace Treaty if Israel Invades Rafah
Egypt has issued a warning to Israel, threatening to suspend its peace treaty if Israeli troops are sent into Rafah. Egypt fears that the fighting could force a large number of Palestinians into the Sinai Peninsula and result in the closure of the main aid supply route for Gaza.
The Camp David Accords, a crucial cornerstone of regional stability for nearly half a century, are at stake. These accords were signed after five wars between Israel and Egypt and provide rules for the deployment of forces along the heavily fortified border.
Catastrophic Humanitarian Situation in Rafah
A military offensive in Rafah could have catastrophic consequences and result in a severe humanitarian catastrophe, Egypt fears. The city has already received an influx of over 1.4 million displaced Gazans, resulting in severe overcrowding. The situation could worsen if the border is breached, leading to a massive wave of people fleeing into the Sinai Peninsula.
Israeli Evacuation and the Humanitarian Crisis
Israel has been ordering much of Gaza’s population to flee south, resulting in evacuation orders that cover two-thirds of the territory. However, this has posed a severe challenge to the displaced people. With little room and capacity to handle such a large number of people, Rafah could face an escalated humanitarian crisis if a ground operation is launched.
Health Crisis and Death Toll
The ongoing war has placed a heavy burden on Gaza’s health infrastructure, resulting in a significant health crisis. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that in the past 24 hours, hospitals have received the bodies of 112 people killed across the territory. The death toll since the start of the war has reached 28,176. The ministry did not provide a breakdown of the casualties between civilians and fighters.
The Origins of the Conflict
This current conflict began on October 7 when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel. The attack resulted in 1,200 deaths, the majority of whom were civilians, and the abduction of approximately 250 people. Although some hostages were released in November, the remaining ones are still held by Hamas. Israel has rejected Hamas’ demands for their release and has vowed to fight until “total victory” is achieved and all hostages are returned.
This article is based on the latest development in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Stay tuned for more updates.
