Joe Biden and Netanyahu speak as pressure grows on Israel over Rafah invasion and cease fire

The White House stated that Biden reiterated his “clear position” as Israel plans to invade Gaza’s southernmost metropolis of Rafah regardless of world concern for greater than 1 million Palestinians sheltering there. The U.S. opposes the invasion on humanitarian grounds, straining relations between the allies. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is returning to the Middle East on Monday.

Biden additionally confused that progress in supply of humanitarian help to Gaza be “sustained and enhanced,” based on the assertion. It was much less stark than their earlier name this month during which Biden warned that future U.S. assist for Israel within the struggle relies on swift implementation of recent steps to guard civilians and help employees. There was no remark from Netanyahu’s workplace on the newest name.

A senior official from key middleman Qatar, in the meantime, urged Israel and Hamas to indicate “extra dedication and extra seriousness” in negotiations. Qatar, which hosts Hamas’ headquarters in Doha, was instrumental along with the U.S. and Egypt in helping negotiate a brief halt to the fighting in November that led to the release of dozens of hostages. But in a sign of frustration, Qatar this month said that it was reassessing its role.

An Israeli delegation is expected in Egypt in the coming days to discuss the latest proposals in negotiations, and senior Hamas official Basem Naim said in a message to The Associated Press that a delegation from the militant group will also head to Cairo. Egypt’s state-owned Al Qahera News satellite television channel said that the delegation would arrive on Monday.

The comments by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari in interviews with the liberal daily Haaretz and Israeli public broadcaster Kan were published and aired Saturday evening.

Al-Ansari expressed disappointment with Hamas and Israel, saying each side has made decisions based on political interests and not with civilians’ welfare in mind. He didn’t reveal details on the talks other than to say they have “effectively stopped,” with “both sides entrenched in their positions.”

Al-Ansari’s remarks came after an Egyptian delegation discussed with Israeli officials a “new vision” for a prolonged cease-fire in Gaza, according to an Egyptian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to freely discuss developments.

The Egyptian official said that Israeli officials are open to discussing establishing a permanent cease-fire in Gaza as part of the second phase of a deal. Israel has refused to end the war until it defeats Hamas.

The second phase would start after the release of civilian and sick hostages, and would include negotiating the release of soldiers, the official added. Senior Palestinian prisoners would be released and a reconstruction process launched.

Negotiations earlier this month centered on a six-week cease-fire proposal and the release of 40 civilian and sick hostages held by Hamas in exchange for freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

A letter written by Biden and 17 other world leaders urged Hamas to release their citizens immediately. In recent days, Hamas has released new videos of three hostages, an apparent push for Israel to make concessions.

The growing pressure for Hamas and Israel to reach a cease-fire deal is also meant to avert an Israeli attack on Rafah, the city on the border with Egypt where more than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population is seeking shelter. Israel has massed dozens of tanks and armored vehicles. The planned incursion has raised global alarm.

“Only a small strike is all it takes to force everyone to leave Palestine,” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas asserted to the opening session of the World Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia, including that he believed an invasion would occur inside days.

But White House nationwide safety spokesman John Kirby informed ABC that Israel “assured us they received’t go into Rafah till we’ve had an opportunity to essentially share our views and considerations with them. So, we’ll see the place that goes.”

The Israeli troop buildup may be a strain tactic on Hamas in talks. Israel sees Rafah as Hamas’ final main stronghold. It vows to destroy the group’s army and governing capabilities.

Aid teams have warned that an invasion of Rafah would worsen the already determined humanitarian scenario in Gaza, the place starvation is widespread. About 400 tons of help arrived Sunday on the Israeli port of Ashdod — the most important cargo but by sea through Cyprus — based on the United Arab Emirates. It wasn’t instantly clear how or when it will be delivered into Gaza.

Also on Sunday, World Central Kitchen stated that it will resume operations in Gaza on Monday, ending a four-week suspension after Israeli army drones killed seven of its help employees. The group has 276 vans able to enter by way of the Rafah crossing and also will ship vans into Gaza from Jordan, a press release stated. It’s additionally analyzing if the Ashdod port can be utilized to dump provides.

The struggle was sparked by Hamas’ assault on Oct. 7 into southern Israel, which killed 1,200 individuals, principally civilians, based on Israeli authorities, who say one other 250 individuals had been taken hostage. Hamas and different teams are holding about 130 individuals, together with the stays of about 30, Israeli authorities say.

Israel’s retaliatory assault on Hamas has killed greater than 34,000 individuals, most of them ladies and youngsters, based on well being authorities in Gaza, who don’t distinguish between civilians and combatants of their tally.

The Israeli army blames Hamas for civilian casualties, accusing it of embedding in residential and public areas. It says it has killed a minimum of 12,000 militants, with out offering proof.