Israel sets date for Rafah operation, U.S. says it hasn’t been briefed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a date is set for an operation in Rafah, a city in Gaza.

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a date is set for an operation in Rafah, a city in Gaza.

"We have not been briefed on that date," U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

Miller says the U.S. has warned Israel to not invade Rafah, which holds more than 1.4 million civilians.

"We have made clear to them that we think that there is a better way to achieve what is a legitimate goal, which is to degrade and dismantle and defeat Hamas battalions that still remain in Rafah," Miller said.

Israel faces growing international pressure as its operations have led to the deaths of thousands of Palestinians and more than 200 aid workers. Miller says the U.S. is encouraging Israel to do more to help civilians.

"Initial steps they have taken over the past few days, they represent a dramatic improvement if fully implemented. But we're going to judge them ultimately by the results," Miller said.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said on CBS' Face the Nation, that the U.S should not send any more weapons unless Israel meets certain conditions.

"We should not be sending more offensive weapons to Israel; not to stop them permanently but to effectively use our leverage," Hollen said.

But Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisc.) disagrees and says Israel is doing everything it has to.

"For Nancy Pelosi and forty other Democrats to tell the Secretary of State to stop sending arms to our closest ally in the region, during a time of war, is unconscionable," Orden said.