President Biden mentioned on Monday that Israel mustn’t proceed with a significant floor offensive within the southern Gaza metropolis of Rafah with out a “credible plan” to guard a couple of million people who find themselves sheltering there.
Mr. Biden spoke after assembly on the White Home with King Abdullah II of Jordan, a key determine within the push for a cease-fire within the Gaza Strip. It was the primary face-to-face dialog between the 2 leaders because the Israel-Hamas conflict began.
“Many individuals there have been displaced — displaced a number of occasions, fleeing the violence to the north, and now they’re packed into Rafah, uncovered and weak,” Mr. Biden mentioned throughout an look with King Abdullah. “They should be protected.”
The go to got here as King Abdullah sought to shore up worldwide assist for a direct cease-fire in Gaza that may completely halt the combating.
Mr. Biden has rejected the concept of a basic cease-fire, saying Israel has a proper to defend itself. However he has pushed for a pause within the combating that would enable for the discharge of hostages held by Hamas and one thing “extra enduring.”
A lot of Jordan’s inhabitants is ethnically Palestinian, placing the nation — a detailed U.S. ally that has a peace treaty with Israel — in a tough place because it navigates the fallout from the conflict.
King Abdullah mentioned an Israeli invasion of Rafah was “sure to provide one other humanitarian disaster.”
“The scenario is already insufferable for over 1,000,000 individuals who had been pushed into Rafah because the conflict began,” King Abdullah mentioned. “We can’t stand by and let this proceed. We’d like a long-lasting cease-fire now. This conflict should finish.”
Mr. Biden issued a forceful condemnation of the hovering dying toll in Gaza, the place well being officers say greater than 28,000 folks have been killed because the begin of the conflict.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Mr. Biden mentioned of the deaths. “Each harmless life in Gaza is a tragedy.”
Whereas Mr. Biden’s criticism of the conflict has grown extra blunt within the 4 months because the Oct. 7 assault, america has not signaled that it plans main coverage modifications, corresponding to placing circumstances on navy assist to Israel.
On Monday, when requested if Israel would face any penalties for the way it goes about its subsequent navy marketing campaign, John F. Kirby, a White Home spokesman, mentioned that he was not going to get into “hypotheticals.”
He mentioned that america was working to affect how Israel performed its conflict.
“There have been moments and there proceed to be moments the place we’ve the chance and have taken the chance to form their pondering and to assist affect the way in which they’ve performed a few of these operations,” he mentioned. “And that is still immediately.”
Each Mr. Biden and King Abdullah mentioned the battle ought to finish with a two-state answer.
“I say this as an extended, lifelong supporter of Israel,” Mr. Biden mentioned. “That’s the one path that ensures Israel’s safety for the long run.”
King Abdullah mentioned that “that is the one answer that can assure peace and safety for the Palestinians and Israelis, in addition to your entire area.”
Egypt and Qatar, appearing as intermediaries between Israel and Hamas, have led talks aimed toward halting the combating and liberating hostages held in Gaza. The Biden administration has been actively concerned in these negotiations, working publicly and behind the scenes to attempt to advance a cease-fire deal.
On Monday, Mr. Biden mentioned america was engaged on a hostage take care of Israel and Hamas that would convey no less than a six-week pause that would “take the time to construct one thing extra enduring.”
The C.I.A. director, William J. Burns, was anticipated to journey to Cairo for talks on the hostages on Tuesday, in line with a U.S. official who spoke on the situation of anonymity concerning the discussions.
Whereas Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel publicly dismissed a Hamas proposal final week, Israeli officers have signaled that their authorities continues to be open to negotiation. The mere indisputable fact that extra talks might be going down in Cairo this week is seen as a constructive signal.
