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President Biden mentioned on Monday that Israel mustn’t proceed with a significant floor offensive within the southern Gaza metropolis of Rafah and not using a “credible plan” to guard a couple of million people who find themselves sheltering there.
Mr. Biden spoke after assembly on the White House with King Abdullah II of Jordan, a key determine within the push for a cease-fire within the Gaza Strip. It was the primary face-to-face dialog between the 2 leaders because the Israel-Hamas battle began.
“Many folks there have been displaced — displaced a number of occasions, fleeing the violence to the north, and now they’re packed into Rafah, uncovered and susceptible,” Mr. Biden mentioned throughout an look with King Abdullah. “They must be protected.”
The go to got here as King Abdullah sought to shore up worldwide assist for an instantaneous cease-fire in Gaza that may completely halt the combating.
Mr. Biden has rejected the thought of a normal cease-fire, saying Israel has a proper to defend itself. But he has pushed for a pause within the combating that would permit for the discharge of hostages held by Hamas and one thing “extra enduring.”
Much of Jordan’s inhabitants is ethnically Palestinian, placing the nation — an in depth U.S. ally that has a peace treaty with Israel — in a tough place because it navigates the fallout from the battle.
King Abdullah mentioned an Israeli invasion of Rafah was “sure to provide one other humanitarian disaster.”
“The state of affairs is already insufferable for over one million individuals who had been pushed into Rafah because the battle began,” King Abdullah mentioned. “We can’t stand by and let this proceed. We want a long-lasting cease-fire now. This battle should finish.”
Mr. Biden issued a forceful condemnation of the hovering demise toll in Gaza, the place well being officers say greater than 28,000 folks have been killed because the begin of the battle.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Mr. Biden mentioned of the deaths. “Every harmless life in Gaza is a tragedy.”
While Mr. Biden’s criticism of the battle has grown extra blunt within the 4 months because the Oct. 7 assault, the United States has not signaled that it plans main coverage modifications, similar to placing situations on navy assist to Israel.
On Monday, when requested if Israel would face any penalties for the way it goes about its subsequent navy marketing campaign, John F. Kirby, a White House spokesman, mentioned that he was not going to get into “hypotheticals.”
He mentioned that the United States was working to affect how Israel performed its battle.
“There have been moments and there proceed to be moments the place we’ve the chance and have taken the chance to form their considering and to assist affect the best way they’ve performed a few of these operations,” he mentioned. “And that is still at this time.”
Both Mr. Biden and King Abdullah mentioned the battle ought to finish with a two-state resolution.
“I say this as an extended, lifelong supporter of Israel,” Mr. Biden mentioned. “That’s the one path that ensures Israel’s safety for the long run.”
King Abdullah mentioned that “that is the one resolution that may assure peace and safety for the Palestinians and Israelis, in addition to all the area.”
Egypt and Qatar, performing as intermediaries between Israel and Hamas, have led talks geared toward halting the combating and releasing hostages held in Gaza. The Biden administration has been actively concerned in these negotiations, working publicly and behind the scenes to attempt to advance a cease-fire deal.
On Monday, Mr. Biden mentioned the United States was engaged on a hostage cope with Israel and Hamas that would convey not less than a six-week pause that would “take the time to construct one thing extra enduring.”
The C.I.A. director, William J. Burns, was anticipated to journey to Cairo for talks on the hostages on Tuesday, in response to a U.S. official who spoke on the situation of anonymity concerning the discussions.
While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel publicly dismissed a Hamas proposal final week, Israeli officers have signaled that their authorities remains to be open to negotiation. The mere proven fact that extra talks will probably be going down in Cairo this week is seen as a optimistic signal.
