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US calls for alternative to Israeli military action in Gaza
“Most importantly, the key goals Israel wants to achieve in Rafah can be done by other means,” said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
US calls for alternative to Israeli military action in Gaza / Screengrab from the official video
In a recent press briefing, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan revealed key details of a conversation between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding the escalating tensions in Israel and Gaza.
“Hamas’s number three, Marwan Issa, was killed in an Israeli operation last week. The rest of the top leaders are in hiding, likely deep in the Hamas tunnel network.,” Sullivan said during the press briefing on Mar. 18.
During the discussion, President Biden expressed his concerns about potential Israeli military operations in Rafah, emphasizing the need to prevent Hamas from establishing a safe haven in the region. Sullivan highlighted the President's belief that a major ground operation in Rafah could exacerbate civilian casualties, worsen the humanitarian crisis, and isolate Israel internationally.
“Our position is that Hamas should not be allowed a safe haven in Rafah or anywhere else. But a major ground operation there would be a mistake. It would lead to more innocent civilian deaths, worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis, deepen the anarchy in Gaza, and further isolate Israel internationally,” he said.
Instead of a ground invasion, President Biden urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to consider alternative approaches to targeting key Hamas elements in Rafah and securing the Egypt-Gaza border. To facilitate this dialogue, the President requested the dispatch of a senior interagency team composed of military, intelligence, and humanitarian officials to Washington.
“Most importantly, the key goals Israel wants to achieve in Rafah can be done by other means,” he added.
The leaders discussed ongoing negotiations for an immediate ceasefire, with a focus on securing the release of hostages held by Hamas and other militants in Gaza. The aim is to transition from a temporary ceasefire to a more enduring solution while leveraging the cessation of hostilities to increase humanitarian assistance in the region.
Responding a question on Russian President Putin’s win in the election Sullivan said,” We’ve had to deal with that reality throughout the war in Ukraine, throughout the other aggression Russia has undertaken, throughout the other steps contrary to U.S. national interests that we have seen from this President and from the Russian Federation under his leadership. And we will continue to deal with that reality.”
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