According to the US vice president, conducting any kind of significant military operation in Rafah would be a “huge mistake.”
The US vice president has threatened Israel with “consequences” if it initiates a ground invasion of the southern Gazan city of Rafah.
In an interview that aired on Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris stated that the Israeli military attacking the city would be a “huge mistake.” The remarks seem to highlight the ongoing tension in Washington-Israeli relations as the latter country continues its campaign in Gaza.
More than a million Palestinian civilians are seeking sanctuary in Rafah, and the US and other Israeli allies are still warning against attacking the city.
Harris said to ABC’s This Week, “We have been clear in multiple conversations and in every way that any major military operation in Rafah would be a huge mistake.”
“I’ve looked over the maps, and those people have nowhere to go. And almost 1.5 million individuals are in Rafah because they were instructed to go there, according to Harris’s analysis.
When asked whether the US would take action if the Israeli operation on the crowded city proceeds, Harris responded, “I am ruling out nothing.”
She did not elaborate on the specific ramifications that could occur. We’ve been quite clear about our opinion on whether or not that should happen, but we’re going to take things one step at a time, she added.
Not necessary
Major ground operations against the town of Rafah would be “a mistake” and “unnecessary,” according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who made this statement on Thursday.
Since Hamas assaulted the Palestinian region on October 7, Israel has launched a brutal military offensive that has resulted in about 1,200 deaths and over 200 captured individuals.
Additionally, a severe blockade imposed by the Israeli military has put a large portion of the people in danger of hunger.
The Israeli offensive has resulted in approximately 32,200 Palestinian deaths and over 74,500 injuries. It is currently estimated that 1.5 million Palestinians have been forced into Rafah.
In response to Blinken’s remarks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that his country is exploring solutions for both addressing Gaza’s humanitarian needs and evacuating civilians from conflict zones.
Netanyahu continued, “I also stated that we cannot defeat Hamas without entering Rafah.” “I told him that while I hoped we could accomplish this with US assistance, we could work alone if needed.”
There is increasing opposition to US backing for Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez demanded on Friday that the US halt transferring arms to Israel.
Israel’s main supply of weaponry is the US. At least $3.8 billion in aid is sent to Israel by Washington each year, and Biden is collaborating with Congress to secure an additional $14 billion.
However, as the election season approaches, public opinion surveys indicate that the Biden administration’s unwavering support for Israel may cost the president points. Additionally, in recent weeks, Biden and other prominent Democrats have become increasingly vocal in their criticism of the Israeli government’s siege of Gaza.
White House representatives, meanwhile, maintain that Washington would not stop supplying Israel with weapons and that they support Israel’s objective of driving out Hamas from Gaza.