Tel Aviv –
Prime Minister (PM) Israel Benjamin Netanyahu refused the request from the President United States of America (AS) Joe Biden to cancel a ground attack on Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is determined to eliminate Hamas hiding in the southernmost city of Gaza Strip the.
As reported Reuters and Al Arabiya, Wednesday (20/3/2024), Rafah is known to be the last refuge for more than one million Palestinian refugees fleeing the onslaught of Israel. Tel Aviv believes in the fighters Hamas the remaining ones are now hiding in the city.
When speaking to members of parliament on Tuesday (19/3) local time, Netanyahu emphasized that he had stated “very clearly” to the US President that Israel was determined to eliminate Hamas with a ground attack on Rafah.
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“We are determined to complete the annihilation of these (Hamas) battalions in Rafah, and there is no way to do that except by going to the field,” he stressed.
Netanyahu and Biden spoke by telephone on Monday (18/3) local time to discuss Rafah and Gaza humanitarian assistance.
According to White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Biden warned Netanyahu in the call that a ground attack on Rafah would be a “mistake” and that Israel could achieve its military goals by other means.
“The President (Biden) explained why he is very concerned about the prospect of Israel launching a major military operation in Rafah,” said White House National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, to local journalists on Monday (18/3) local time.
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