U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration faced renewed pressure on Wednesday from his fellow Democrats to influence Israel not to launch a full-scale invasion of Rafah, the city where almost half of the Gaza Strip’s 2.3 million people have taken refuge. Fifty-seven of the 212 Democrats in the House of Representatives signed a letter calling on the administration to take every possible measure to dissuade Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government from an all-out assault on the city near the Egyptian border.
“We urge you to invoke existing law and policy to immediately withhold certain offensive military aid to the Israeli government, including aid sourced from legislation already signed into law, in order to preempt a full-scale assault on Rafah,” said the letter, dated Wednesday. The Biden Administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter, which was led by Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Madeleine Dean.
Biden’s Support for Israel Becomes a Political Liability
Biden’s support for Israel in its war against Hamas has emerged as a significant political liability for the president, particularly among young Democrats. It fueled a wave of “uncommitted” protest votes in Democratic primaries and has also driven the wave of pro-Palestinian protests at U.S. universities. That is raising worries for Democrats as Biden is locked in a tight re-election rematch against his Republican predecessor Donald Trump.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday he had still not seen a plan for Israel’s promised offensive on Rafah that would protect civilians, repeating that Washington could not support such an assault. Blinken and Netanyahu met in Jerusalem for 2-1/2 hours on Wednesday, after which Israel repeated that the Rafah operation would go ahead despite the U.S. position and a U.N. warning that it would lead to “tragedy.
U.S. Warns Israel Over Civilian Harm and Aid Worker Safety
The United States is Israel’s main diplomatic supporter and weapons supplier. Blinken’s visit to Israel came about a month after Biden issued a stark warning that Washington’s policy could shift if Israel fails to take steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.
Biden’s administration has repeatedly condemned Israeli actions that have led to civilian casualties in Gaza, and the potential assault on Rafah has only intensified these concerns. The U.S. has urged Israel to exercise restraint and prioritize the protection of civilians, but Netanyahu’s government has shown no signs of backing down from its stated plans to launch a military operation in Rafah.
Administration’s Response and Diplomatic Efforts
The Biden Administration has not yet responded to the letter, but Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated earlier today that the United States cannot support an offensive on Rafah without a clear plan to protect civilians. Blinken stated that he has not seen such a plan from the Israeli government, indicating the administration’s reluctance to endorse a full-scale assault on the city.
Diplomatic efforts are underway to find a peaceful resolution to the escalating tensions between Israel and Palestinian militants based in Gaza. The Biden administration has been engaged in discussions with both sides, urging restraint and advocating for a ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and displacement of civilians.
Concerns Over Humanitarian Crisis and Regional Stability
The potential offensive on Rafah has raised alarm bells among humanitarian organizations and international observers, who fear a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the densely populated city. With almost half of Gaza’s population seeking refuge in Rafah, an all-out assault could result in significant civilian casualties and a massive displacement of people.
Moreover, the situation in Rafah threatens to destabilize the already volatile region further, potentially drawing in other actors and exacerbating regional tensions. The international community has called for a de-escalation of hostilities and a return to negotiations to address the underlying issues fueling the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in Gaza
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