Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that he will not send an Israeli delegation to Washington, as planned, for talks after the United States failed to veto a UN Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. Reuters, quoted by BTA.
Netanyahu, according to a statement from his office, said Washington's lack of a veto on the proposal was a "clear retreat" from the previous US position and will harm the military effort against "Hamas" in Gaza, as well as efforts to free over 130 hostages.
"Due to the change in the American position, Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided that the delegation will not leave," his office said.
The high-level delegation was due to travel to Washington to discuss the planned Israeli military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
On this occasion, the White House initially stated that it had not been informed of a change in the plans of an Israeli delegation to visit Washington, Reuters reported.
However, spokesman John Kirby later told reporters that the White House was very disappointed that Netanyahu had canceled a planned visit by a high-level Israeli delegation to Washington.
"This is disappointing. We are very disappointed that they will not come to Washington to allow us to have a comprehensive conversation with them about alternatives." of the entry of Israeli troops into Rafah, Kirby said.
However, senior US officials will meet with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant about the hostages, humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians in Rafah, Kirby said. He emphasized that US policy has not changed despite the decision to abstain from voting at the UN.