How the Biden administration is expected to respond to Israel’s Rafah offensive

Newsweek

Rafah Offensive: Biden Faces Questions Over Israel Aid Block

Joe Biden

Benjamin Netanyahu

Antony Blinken

Diaa Rashwan

Yoav Gallant

Enia Krivine

Israel Katz

Yaakov Amidror

Avi Dichter

Benny Gantz

Josep Borrell

OHCHR

Hamas

John Kirby

Metaculus

The US has not seen any Israeli plans "that would convince us that they are about to or imminently going to conduct any kind of major operations in Rafah."

"It [Rafah] is a red line, but I am never going to leave Israel."

An invasion of Rafah "is not imminent... but it will have to be done."

"Those who think we are delaying [the invasion of Rafah] will soon see there is no place we cannot reach."

"The operation in Rafah will happen."

"It will happen, and all that remains to be decided is the method and force."

"We're going to do it. We're going to get the remaining Hamas terrorist battalions in Rafah, which is the last bastion, but we're going to do it."

"If by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue to the Rafah area."

Will Israel Expand Its Ground Invasion to Rafah?

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution on Friday calling on the Security Council to reconsider Palestine as a UN member state "favorably," stressing that “the State of Palestine is qualified for membership in the United Nations.”

In response to the vote, Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan physically fed a copy of the UN charter into a shredder to illustrate what he said was the General Assembly's disregard for the document, saying that the UN wanted to "advance the establishment of a Palestinian terror state led by the Hitler of our time."

USA Today

In response, Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan shredded a copy of the UN charter to illustrate what he said was the General Assembly's disregard for the document, saying that the UN wanted to "advance the establishment of a Palestinian terror state led by the Hitler of our time."

The US, Argentina, Czechia, Hungary, Israel, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, and Papua New Guinea voted against the resolution. The Palestinian Authority, which partially controls the West Bank, has been a UN non-member observer state since 2012.

The US, Argentina, Czechia, Hungary, Israel, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, and Papua New Guinea voted against the resolution The Palestinian Authority, which partially controls the West Bank, has been a UN non-member observer state since 2012.

Meanwhile, Israel's security cabinet reportedly voted unanimously to expand the military's "area of ​​operation" in Rafah, in which Israel has already advanced into some eastern neighborhoods. US Pres. Joe Biden said this week that the US would not supply Israel with offensive weapons for an advance into Rafah.

Axios

Meanwhile, Israel's security cabinet reportedly voted unanimously to expand the military's "area of ​​operation" in Rafah, where Israel has already advanced into some eastern neighborhoods. US Pres. Joe Biden said this week that the US would not supply Israel with offensive weapons for an advance into Rafah.

Axios reported that two officials had said that the expansion would be "measured" so that it did not cross the US' red lines. However, another source told Axios that the expansion includes actions that could be interpreted as oversteps.

Axios reported that two officials had said that the expansion would be "measured" so that it did not cross the US' red lines. However, another source told Axios that the expansion includes actions that could be interpreted as stepping over said red lines.

Meanwhile, both the Rafah and Kerem Shalom Crossing into Gaza remain shut as of Friday as concerns grow regarding the humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave. Rafah was the primary logistical point for aid operations in the strip.

Guardian

Meanwhile, both the Rafah and Kerem Shalom Crossing into Gaza remained shut as of Friday as concerns grow regarding the humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave. Rafah was the primary logistical point for aid operations in the strip.

NBC #333

Newsweek #2747

CNN #

USA Today #2155

NBC #2333

Axios #

Guardian #2399

The US is committed to preventing malicious actors from threatening Israel's legitimate concerns while also ensuring that humanitarian law is being followed. The situation in Gaza has gotten out of hand, and the Biden admin. will not support any further offensive action in Rafah. However, premature action by the UN does not improve the situation.

The UNGA has once again rewarded Hamas for the atrocities it committed on Oct. 7. It should be obvious to everyone that Palestine is not a state, and resolutions like this, passed at such a critical time in Israel's existential struggle with terror, only serve to delegitimize Israel's security concerns.

The Daily Signal

The Daily Signal #

Troubling Ramifications of UN Resolution on Rights for Palestine

Though the US will almost certainly veto any resolution that would lead to a Palestinian state, it is necessary to demonstrate how isolated Israel has become due to the massacres it has committed in Gaza. The resolution also demonstrates the US' hypocrisy and moral cowardice, as it endlessly shields Israel from accountability while claiming to support human rights.

UN: Security Council Urged to Reconsider Palestinian Membership

UN: General Assembly Calls on Security Council Urged to Reconsider Palestinian UN Membership

The Spin

The Controversies

Kirby

Biden

Amidror

Gallant

Dichter

IDF

Netanyahu

Gantz

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters