Biden speaks with Netanyahu amid discussions about a cease-fire and Rafah’s evacuation

Biden speaks with Netanyahu amid discussions about a cease-fire and Rafah's evacuation
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On Monday morning, President Joe Biden had a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid the impending ground invasion in Rafah and the impasse in the talks between Israel and Hamas over a cease-fire.

According to a White House transcript of the conversation, Biden gave Netanyahu an update “on efforts to secure a hostage deal,” citing discussions that took place on Monday in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

“The Prime Minister consented to make sure that people in need of humanitarian aid can cross at Kerem Shalom. The White House stated that the President restated his unambiguous stance on Rafah.

According to the readout, the two leaders talked about Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is observed on Monday.

According to the readout, Biden and Netanyahu “discussed the common determination of Israel and the United States to honor the six million Jews who were systematically focused on and murdered in the Holocaust, among the darkest chapters in human history, and to strongly act against antisemitism and all forms of hate-fueled violence.”

A representative for the National Security Council stated prior to the call that it would discuss potential military action in Rafah.

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“We are unable to speak for IDF operations,” the representative stated. “The Israeli government has been informed of our clear opposition to a significant ground invasion of Rafah, and the President will speak with the Prime Minister today. We firmly think that a hostage agreement is the best means of protecting the hostages’ lives and preventing an invasion of Rafah, the haven for more than a million people. The discussions are still going on.

The call was made as it seemed that the weekend’s cease-fire negotiations had produced no results. Following his participation in talks on Sunday in the Qatari capital of Doha, CIA Director William Burns was scheduled to visit Israel on Monday for further negotiations, an individual with direct knowledge of the situation informed NBC News.

After negotiations broke down in Cairo, he flew to Doha for an urgent meeting with the prime minister of Qatar to look into ways to restart the talks. As for Hamas, the office of the Israeli prime minister accused it of “not moving a millimeter from the extreme demands the fact that no government in Israel can accept.”

A long-term cease-fire has been under increasing pressure as Israel has taken actions suggesting a ground invasion in Rafah may happen soon. According to the Israel Defense Forces, flyers urging people to relocate to humanitarian areas were dropped overnight in eastern Rafah. On Sunday, the IDF estimated that 100,000 residents in that area had received evacuation orders.

Israel has received warnings from Biden and his administration not to go on the offensive in Rafah.

The call from Biden and Netanyahu coincided with Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Remembrance Day. A group advocating for the families of the hostages detained in Gaza released a statement advising the Israeli prime minister to disregard political pressure from far-right government members to avoid reaching a compromise with Hamas.

As you have pledged each year, we would like to remind you once more on this eve of Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day to “Never Again.” “You have to ignore any political pressure,” the Hostage Families Forum headquarters said in a statement.

“This is the time to lead, demonstrate courage, and bring regarding the return of all 132 individuals held by the terrorist monsters of Hamas — the living for rehabilitation as well as the murdered for burial,” it said. The release of the hostages is a prerequisite for the nation’s healing, atonement, and rebirth. Mr. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, history will not pardon you if you pass up this chance.”

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