Keeps up pressure

Biden keeps up pressure on Netanyahu as possible Rafah invasion looms

The president “reiterated his clear position” on the invasion during a call with the Israeli prime minister, according to the White House.

By KELLY GARRITY

President Joe Biden isn’t backing down on his stance on Israel’s impending invasion of Rafah.

During a Sunday afternoon call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden “reiterated his clear position” on the looming incursion, according to a readout provided by the White House.

Biden last month warned that an invasion in Rafah would be a “red line” for his administration, pushing Israel not to pursue a military campaign in the region without a credible plan to protect civilians in place. But the recent Iranian missile attack on Israel complicated conversations between the allies, which were scheduled to take place in Washington before Iran’s attack.

According to White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, Israeli leaders have told U.S. officials that such an invasion won’t move forward at least until the U.S. has had a chance to weigh in.

“They’ve assured us that they won’t go into Rafah until we’ve had a chance to really share our perspectives and our concerns with them,” Kirby said during an interview on ABC’s “This Week.”

On the call with Netanyahu, Biden also “reviewed ongoing talks to secure the release of hostages together with an immediate ceasefire in Gaza” and “discussed increases in the delivery of humanitarian assistance into Gaza including through preparations to open new northern crossings starting this week,” according to the White House.

During the interview on ABC, Kirby noted, “There are still challenges on the ground in getting [aid] up into the north but that’s starting to happen, and the Israelis have started to meet the commitments that President Biden asked them to meet.”