Israel has agreed to listen to the considerations of the US, which expressed concern about a possible Israeli military operation in the southern city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, on the border with Egypt, the spokesman for the National Security Council at the White House, John Kirby, announced today, quoted by Reuters, writes BTA.
The agency said that the Israeli army is ready to evacuate Palestinian civilians from the city of Rafah and attack the strongholds of the radical Palestinian group "Hamas" there, citing a statement by a senior Israeli defense official in Wednesday. At the same time, Reuters pays attention to the warnings of the international community about a possible humanitarian catastrophe.
Washington had announced that it would not support an Israeli operation in the city of Rafah without a corresponding credible humanitarian plan.
"They have assured us that they will not enter Rafah until they give us the opportunity to actually share with them our views and our concerns,", Kirby told the ABC television channel, as quoted by Reuters.
The agency notes that US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is expected to visit the region next week, and Kirby said he will continue to push for a temporary ceasefire, which the US wants to last at least six weeks. Delegation of "Hamas" will visit the Egyptian capital Cairo tomorrow to participate in ceasefire negotiations, Reuters recalls.
"What we're hoping is that after possibly six weeks without fighting, maybe we'll be able to get something more permanent,'' said Kirby, who also noted that the number of trucks coming in with humanitarian aid in the northern part of the Gaza Strip is growing.
"The Israelis have begun to fulfill the commitments that President Biden asked them to make," the White House spokesman added.
Meanwhile, US Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen today expressed doubt whether the administration of President Joe Biden correctly assesses Israel's behavior in terms of international law, Reuters reported. The agency notes that this is a reaction to its information that some high-ranking US officials do not find the assurances given credible.
"The information casts a shadow of serious doubt on the Biden administration's assessment of whether the Netanyahu government is complying with international law (in its actions) in the Gaza Strip,'' Van Hollen said in a statement.