Biden cautions Netanyahu on Rafah attack; Israel insists on thorough planning

U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a warning to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about proceeding with a military assault on Rafah, Gaza’s southern city, without a solid plan to safeguard the 1.4 million Palestinians seeking refuge there.

Despite this, Israel’s Defense Minister announced meticulous preparations for a ground assault on Rafah, emphasizing Israel’s resolve to conduct operations against what is described as a pivotal Hamas stronghold. Netanyahu, reinforcing this stance, declared his refusal to adhere to “international dictates” regarding a lasting peace with the Palestinians.

Overnight Israeli airstrikes in Rafah resulted in the deaths of at least 13 individuals, including nine from a single family, as reported by hospital sources and family members. The conflict has escalated the death toll in Gaza to over 28,000, with a significant portion of the population facing severe food shortages.

The Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, highlighted Rafah’s strategic importance to Hamas and indicated ongoing strategic planning for military actions in the area. He did not specify when these operations would commence but noted the ongoing military activities in Khan Younis, particularly targeting its main hospital where 70 militants have been detained, some accused of participating in the October 7 attack that ignited the current conflict.

Gallant reassured that Israel does not plan to force Palestinian civilians to flee into Egypt, acknowledging the importance of respecting and maintaining the peace agreement with Egypt, a critical stabilizing factor in the region.

Amid these developments, new satellite imagery has revealed Egypt’s construction of a border wall, presumably in anticipation of the Israeli military campaign in Rafah. This construction underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics and the heightened concern for civilian safety amidst military strategies targeting Hamas in Gaza.