U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed continued reservations about Israel’s proposed offensive in Rafah, emphasizing the imperative of safeguarding civilian lives.
Following a lengthy meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel reiterated its resolve to proceed with the operation, disregarding U.S. objections and UN warnings of potential calamity.
Blinken stressed the necessity of exploring alternative strategies to address Hamas without resorting to a full-scale military intervention in Rafah, underscoring ongoing dialogues with Israeli counterparts. However, Israel remained firm in its commitment to eliminate the remaining Hamas combat units.
Despite the ongoing diplomatic discord, Israel insisted on sharing its plans for the Rafah operation with Blinken.
Meanwhile, Blinken sought to accelerate humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza, where nearly half the population faces severe food shortages.
Blinken’s visit, the final leg of his Middle East tour, underscores efforts to mitigate the escalating conflict sparked by Hamas’ attacks on southern Israel last October.
The focus remains on improving humanitarian conditions in Gaza, with Blinken acknowledging recent progress in aid access.
While advocating for a truce deal proposed by Egyptian mediators, Blinken urged Hamas to seize the opportunity for peace. However, Hamas remains cautious, emphasizing Israel’s role as the primary obstacle to a resolution.
Israel’s insistence on proceeding with the Rafah offensive has drawn international concern, with UN aid chief Martin Griffiths warning against justifying military action under the guise of aid access improvements.
As tensions persist, Israel faces pressure from both international and domestic fronts. While international calls for restraint mount, Netanyahu confronts demands from nationalist allies to proceed with the offensive.
Despite diplomatic efforts, the situation remains volatile, with airstrikes continuing in Gaza and concerns escalating over civilian casualties and humanitarian crises.
