President Biden recently had a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, advising him against moving forward with plans to invade the Gaza city of Rafah. The president expressed concern for the safety of the more than 1.5 million Palestinians residing in Rafah, particularly emphasizing the need to avoid actions that could further endanger the population seeking refuge there.
Israel's Defense Forces had issued an evacuation order for Rafah, hinting at a potential ground operation in the area. The IDF considers Rafah to be the last significant stronghold of Hamas following months of conflict, with Israeli officials stressing the importance of clearing the city to combat the Islamic militant group.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant informed U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin that Israel felt compelled to take action in Rafah after a deadly rocket attack by Hamas terrorists originating from the city resulted in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers. In response, the IDF initiated targeted strikes against Hamas operatives in eastern Rafah, while also facilitating the evacuation of residents and expanding humanitarian efforts in neighboring areas.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has displaced approximately 80% of the territory's 2.3 million inhabitants, leading to widespread destruction across multiple cities. The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 34,500 individuals, according to estimates from the Hamas-run Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
The escalation of hostilities began when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of approximately 250 others. Israel has reported that militants still hold roughly 100 hostages and the remains of over 30 individuals.
