Biden Urges Netanyahu to Halt Planned Rafah Invasion and Cease-fire Talks

As pressure mounts on Israel and Hamas to reach a cease-fire agreement and secure the release of Israeli hostages, U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated his opposition to Israel’s planned invasion of Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah. Despite the global concern, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering the invasion, prompting Biden to express his “clear position” against it on humanitarian grounds.

The U.S. is also urging progress in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, emphasizing Hamas’s responsibility to accept the latest offers in negotiations. Meanwhile, an Israeli delegation is expected in Egypt soon to discuss new proposals for a cease-fire, while a senior Hamas official confirmed that a Hamas delegation will also travel to Cairo. Efforts to broker a cease-fire deal aim to prevent further escalation and to facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas.