Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced during his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken that he informed him "that the state of Israel intends to carry out a military operation in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza even without the support of the United States." He stated, "There is no way for us to defeat Hamas without entering Rafah and eradictaing its remaining brigades there," adding, "I told him that I hope to do this with the support of the United States, but if necessary, we will do it alone."
He continued, "I told him that I truly appreciate the fact that we have stood together in the war against Hamas for more than five months. I also informed him that we recognize the necessity to evacuate civilians from war areas and of course to meet humanitarian needs as well, and we are working towards that goal."
For his part, Blinken said, "It is a mistake to carry out an Israeli operation in Rafah." He warned that a large-scale military operation in Rafah, the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip, threatens to "further isolate Israel." Blinken told senior Israeli officials who comprise the so-called "war cabinet" that without a plan for "the day after" in Gaza, Israel risks international isolation and becoming embroiled in an endless war in the territory. Washington, the foremost supporter of Israel politically and militarily since the outbreak of the war, has also reiterated its criticisms of Israel for the restrictions on humanitarian aid and the high civilian death toll in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
