Blinken warns Israel against Rafah operation
Secretary of State Antony Blinken shared a stern warning with Israel: do not invade Rafah, a city in Gaza.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Secretary of State Antony Blinken shared a stern warning with Israel: do not invade Rafah, a city in Gaza.
"A major military ground operation in Rafah is not the way to do it," Blinken said.
Blinken met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet and said an operation like this could isolate Israel and its standing in the world.
"It risks killing more civilians. It risks wreaking greater havoc with the humanitarian assistance," Blinken said.
Blinken says the U.S. is still committed to helping Israel achieve its goal of defeating Hamas.
"It really requires an integrated humanitarian, military and political plan," Blinken said.
The U.S. is also focused on gaining a ceasefire, rescue hostages and increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza strip.
A U.S. led UN resolution for a ceasefire failed in the UN security council.
"Got very strong support. But then was cynically vetoed by Russia and China," Blinken said.
Blinken says he also met with families of the hostages held by Hamas.
"It's hard to describe. What they're going through every single day," Blinken said.
Blinken says negotiations continue for their release. Israeli officials will travel to Washington next week to talk more with U.S. officials.