US President Joe Biden pressed the Israeli government against a full invasion of Rafah in the Gaza Strip during a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, the White House announced.
Biden “reiterated his clear position” on Rafah during the call, the White House said, as the Israeli military moves closer to an invasion of the southern Gaza city. The Biden administration has repeatedly asked the Israeli military not to enter the city without a clear plan to avoid mass civilian casualties.
Israel has increased attacks on Rafah in recent days as Israeli leaders say invading the city is a military necessity in the campaign to drive Hamas out of Gaza. Netanyahu has announced that a date has been set to invade Rafah, although the State Department said earlier this month that plans have not been communicated to US leaders.
Biden also continued discussions about a possible hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. More than 100 hostages were taken during the month of October. 7 remain under Hamas control, although negotiations for a second hostage deal have slowed in recent weeks.
The president also discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the White House added, working with Netanyahu to open additional humanitarian corridors into the territory from Israel. The United Nations and humanitarian organizations in Gaza have warned that the region has fallen into famine, with a severe lack of access to food and medical supplies.
“The President highlighted the need for this progress to be maintained and improved in full coordination with humanitarian organizations,” the White House said of the expansion of humanitarian aid.
A U.S.-backed seaport in Gaza is scheduled to begin sending aid shipments directly to the territory by sea early next month, senior military officials said last week.