John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House, stated that Israel's operations along the Gaza-Egypt border in eastern Rafah do not constitute the full-scale assault that Biden has repeatedly warned Israel about for humanitarian reasons. According to the Associated Press, Kirby announced that the United States will closely monitor Israel's actions, saying, 'The way they [describe the operations] is not of a size, scale, duration, and scope that can be equated with a large ground operation.' Before seizing the Rafah crossing with Egypt in Gaza, Israel urged residents of the area to flee to a previously designated humanitarian safe zone. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the seizure of the Rafah border crossing is a 'significant step' towards eliminating the military and economic capabilities of Hamas, which has received money and weapons from the Islamic Republic. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant threatened that if the agreement to return Israelis held hostage by Hamas does not progress, the Israeli military operation in Rafah would become 'deeper.' On Monday evening, Israel rejected a ceasefire proposal accepted by Hamas and dispatched its forces to Gaza, seizing the strategic border crossing with Egypt. Israel stated that the conditions did not meet its 'core' demands but remains open to continuing negotiations. Meanwhile, the German Foreign Minister warned Israel on Tuesday about a 'major assault on Rafah.' The UN humanitarian aid arm stated on Tuesday that Israeli officials have prohibited its access to the Rafah crossing - between Gaza and Egypt - which is now under the control of Israeli defense forces. Biden, on Holocaust Remembrance Day, stated that there is no place for anti-Semitism in America. Aid to Gaza has been halted following Israel's seizure of the Rafah border crossing. Israeli tanks have entered the Rafah crossing in Gaza. The White House stated that Netanyahu agreed during a conversation with Biden to keep the 'Karem Shalom' crossing open for humanitarian aid.
White House: Ongoing Israeli Operations in Rafah Not a 'Full-Scale Assault'
The White House clarified that Israel's current military operations in Rafah do not amount to a full-scale assault as previously warned by President Biden. Israeli officials continue to pursue military objectives against Hamas while managing humanitarian concerns. This situation is critical as it impacts regional stability and U.S.-Israel relations.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
Israel conducts operations in Rafah, affecting Gaza-Egypt border, while US monitors the situation.
- Israel seize Rafah border crossing
- Yoav Gallant threaten Hamas
- John Kirby announce Israel's operations
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The situation in Rafah highlights the ongoing conflict dynamics and humanitarian crises.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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