US Secretary of State Blinken has warned Israel against an offensive on the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu wants to carry out the military operation, if necessary, against the recommendation of the USA.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has again called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to protect civilians in the Gaza Strip, according to the US. The background is a planned Israeli offensive on the city of Rafah.
In addition, aid deliveries by land and sea must be maintained, it was said after a conversation between both politicians from the US State Department. Also discussed were efforts to achieve a ceasefire and the release of the hostages held by the radical Islamic Hamas.
“Not the right way”
Before leaving Israel, Blinken said that an offensive on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip would risk Israel further isolating itself in the world and jeopardizing its long-term security. A military ground operation in Rafah risks killing even more civilians and further deteriorating the humanitarian situation.
Blinken said he had “candid discussions” with Netanyahu and the Israeli war cabinet and told them that the US, like Israel, had the goal of defeating the radical Islamic group Hamas. However, a major military ground operation in Rafah is not the right way.
Netanyahu announces he will go it alone
According to Israeli sources, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced during the conversation with Blinken that he would carry out the offensive in Rafah single-handed if necessary. This is the only way to defeat Hamas in the Gaza Strip and destroy the last battalions of the Islamist organization, Netanyahu’s office said.
The head of government also signaled to Blinken that Israel recognizes the need to evacuate the civilian population in the Gaza Strip from combat areas. Israel also wants to take care of the humanitarian needs of the people in the coastal strip.
Tone from Washington intensifies
Given the situation and the many civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip, Washington’s tone towards the Israeli leadership has sharpened in recent weeks. The USA wants to dissuade Israel from a ground offensive in Rafah. In the city, it is estimated that one and a half million Gazans are currently seeking shelter in a small space from the fighting in other parts of the coastal area.
Difficult ceasefire negotiations
US Secretary of State Blinken was in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah for talks on Wednesday and in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Thursday. For weeks, the USA has been trying to stop the fighting in the Gaza Strip with the help of mediators from Qatar and Egypt.
In return, Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas during its terrorist attacks on October 7th are to be released. According to Blinken, there is progress toward an agreement, but there is still a lot of work to do.
Clemens Verenkotte, ARD Tel Aviv, tagesschau, March 22, 2024 4:28 p.m