Biden Reiterates Opposition to Imminent 'Rafa Ground Offensive'

As an Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip looms, U.S. President Joe Biden has once again informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of his opposition to a ground offensive in Rafah, Gaza Strip, without civilian protection measures.

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On the 6th (local time), President Biden reaffirmed his "clear position" on the Rafah issue during a call with Prime Minister Netanyahu, the White House said.

This came amid signs that Israel's ground offensive on Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip considered Hamas's last stronghold, is imminent. The U.S. government reiterated its existing stance opposing a large-scale ground offensive without reliable protection measures for the more than 1.4 million Palestinian refugees in the area.

On the 6th, as ceasefire and hostage release negotiations between Israel and Hamas faced difficulties, the Israeli military issued a civilian evacuation order for Rafah, raising expectations that a ground offensive in Rafah would soon begin.

Additionally, the White House reported that during the call, Netanyahu agreed to open the Kerem Shalom border crossing in southern Israel for humanitarian aid. The Kerem Shalom crossing had been closed after Hamas launched a rocket attack on the 5th, resulting in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers.

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