Netanyahu Plans Invasion of Rafah Despite ‘Red Line’ Set by Biden

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Despite U.S. President Joe Biden’s assertion in a Saturday MSNBC interview that an invasion of Rafah would cross a “red line,” Israeli Prime Minister announced plans to invade the city, which currently serves as a refuge for over a million Palestinians.

In a broadcast interview with MSNBC on Saturday, Biden emphasized that Netanyahu needs to give more importance to the loss of innocent lives in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. He mentioned that an incursion into Rafah would cross a “red line,” warning against the potential loss of 30,000 more Palestinian lives.

When questioned if a ground operation by Israel in Rafah constitutes a “red line,” Biden stated, “It is a red line, but I will never abandon Israel.”

On Monday, officials in Washington clarified the president’s remarks, stating that the administration would back an operation into Rafah provided Israel first outlined a strategy to mitigate civilian casualties. However, they also noted that no such plan had been submitted for review.

However, Netanyahu expressed his determination to proceed with an invasion in Rafah, stating to Axel Springer, the parent company of Politico, of his commitment to prevent a repeat of the events of October 7th, asserting, “We’re not going to leave them. I have a red line. That Oct. 7 doesn’t happen again. It never happens again.”

Biden stated on Monday that he has not had what he referred to as a “come to Jesus meeting” with Netanyahu, which was overheard during his conversation with lawmakers following his State of the Union address on Thursday, caught by a live microphone.

Amid the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Israel has been under mounting global pressure to consent to a ceasefire. However, Netanyahu has rejected any ceasefire proposals that do not include a substantial agreement for the release of hostages.

“Without a release, there’s not going to be a pause in the fighting,” Netanyahu stated.

“We’ve destroyed three-quarters of Hamas’ fighting terrorism battalions. And we’re close to finishing the last part in warfare,” Netanyahu stated.

Netanyahu indicated that the conflict would last for weeks rather than months, adding, “Maybe six weeks, maybe four.”

Israel has declared that it will not proceed with entering Rafah until arrangements are made to relocate over one million displaced individuals to a secure area. Reportedly, Israel is in the midst of setting up tent cities across the northern part of the Gaza Strip and along its coastline.

Netanyahu reiterated his stance against the unilateral establishment of a Palestinian state, stating, “[The Israeli people] also support my position that says that we should resoundingly reject the attempt to ram down our throats a Palestinian state.” He argued that the consensus is against such a state.

Further explaining his viewpoint, he suggested that the lack of peace is not due to Palestinians lacking a state but because Jews have one. He criticized many Europeans for advocating a two-state solution as a path to peace, asserting “they don’t understand that the reason we don’t have peace is not because the Palestinians don’t have a state. It’s because the Jews have a state. And in fact, the Palestinians have not brought themselves to recognize and accept the Jewish state.”

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