In a recent phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of having a "credible and executable plan" to ensure the safety and support of over one million people in Rafah before launching any military operation.
This call marked the first conversation between the two leaders since Biden criticized Israel's military strikes in Gaza as "over the top" in response to the October 7th attack by Hamas.
Despite warnings from Biden and UN officials about the potential for a "bloodbath" resulting from an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah, where approximately 1.3 million Palestinians seek shelter, Israel's military has expressed determination to proceed. The challenge lies in finding a safe relocation for the large civilian population in the area.
Rafah, situated near Israel's border with Egypt, has become a refuge for more than half of Gaza's population, with a quarter of them facing the threat of starvation, according to the UN.
While Israel has already conducted airstrikes in Rafah, causing casualties, Netanyahu insists that plans for the ground campaign are still in progress. However, a ground operation in Rafah could potentially disrupt the crucial route for delivering essential medical and food supplies to civilians in Gaza.
With over 28,000 reported deaths in Gaza since the October 7th attack by Hamas, the health ministry warns of the dire consequences of any military operation that neglects civilian considerations.
Biden's national security adviser, John Kirby, has unequivocally stated that the U.S. does not support any assault on Rafah without careful consideration for civilian safety, describing such a military operation as a "disaster."