Key Takeaways
- US President Joe Biden urges Israel to ensure civilian safety before proceeding with military operation in Rafah, Gaza Strip.
- President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed ongoing negotiations to secure the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.
- The officials emphasized the urgency of ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches Palestinian civilians in desperate need.
Washington: US President Joe Biden, in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, reiterated that Israel’s military operation in the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip should not proceed without a plan for ensuring the safety of civilians, the White House said.
“President Joseph R. Biden spoke today with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel … The President also raised the situation in Rafah, and reiterated his view that a military operation should not proceed without a credible and executable plan for ensuring the safety of and support for the civilians in Rafah,” the release read.
Biden and Netanyahu also discussed ongoing negotiations to secure the release of the remaining hostages held by Palestinian movement Hamas, the release said, adding that Biden “reaffirmed his commitment to working tirelessly to support the release of all hostages as soon as possible.”
The officials also discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip and “the urgency of ensuring that humanitarian assistance is able to get to Palestinian civilians in desperate need,” the White House said.
