US President Joe Biden and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had their first conversation in a long time on Monday, discussing the situation in Rafah in the Gaza Strip and humanitarian aid for the people there. With thousands of people seeking refuge in Rafah, Israel has not presented a plan to ensure their safety and care. The White House reported that the last time Biden and Netanyahu spoke was in mid-February.
In recent weeks, Washington’s stance towards Israel has become more critical due to a rise in civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip. Following a terrorist attack near the Gaza border in Israel, the two leaders have been in constant communication, with plans for a meeting at the end of the week or early next week. The exact date has not been set.
The US government is planning to meet with a high-level Israeli delegation in person in the coming days to discuss concerns about a planned ground offensive in Rafah. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated that Biden has requested a team of military, intelligence, and humanitarian assistance specialists from Israel to come to Washington for detailed discussions and potential alternatives. Netanyahu has agreed to send such a team, which will delay any major military operation in Rafah until after the meeting.
