(AP) — President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Monday morning, a White House official and a National Security Council spokesperson said, as Israel appeared closer launching an offensive on the southern Gaza city of Rafah — a move staunchly opposed by the U.S. on humanitarian grounds.
As of 29 April 2024, the Israeli Defense Forces have killed 34,488 Palestinians in Gaza, 14,500 have been children and 9,500 women. Another 77,643 have reportedly been injured, of which 75 percent are estimated to be female.
This comes as the U.S Congress approved a Biden request for a supplement of $14 billion for Israel to purchase "defensive" weapons as it begins the onslaught of Rafah on the occupied Gaza Strip.
The NSC spokesperson said Biden reiterated U.S. concerns about an invasion of Rafah — where more than 1 million civilians from other parts of Gaza are sheltering after 7 months of war sparked by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, resulting in 1,200 killed and some 200 hostages were taken. Biden said he believes reaching a cease-fire with Hamas is the best way to protect the lives of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the call before an official White House statement was released.
The call came hours before Biden was to host King Abdullah II of Jordan for a private lunch meeting at the White House on Monday.
On Sunday, Netanyahu rejected international pressure to halt the war in Gaza in a fiery speech marking the country’s annual Holocaust memorial day, declaring: “If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone.”
“I say to the leaders of the world: No amount of pressure, no decision by any international forum will stop Israel from defending itself,” he said, speaking in English. “Never again is now.”
The NSC spokesperson said Biden reiterated U.S. concerns about an invasion of Rafah — where more than 1 million civilians from other parts of Gaza are sheltering after 7 months of war sparked by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, resulting in 1,200 killed and some 200 hostages were taken. Biden said he believes reaching a cease-fire with Hamas is the best way to protect the lives of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the call before an official White House statement was released.
The call came hours before Biden was to host King Abdullah II of Jordan for a private lunch meeting at the White House on Monday.
On Sunday, Netanyahu rejected international pressure to halt the war in Gaza in a fiery speech marking the country’s annual Holocaust memorial day, declaring: “If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone.”
“I say to the leaders of the world: No amount of pressure, no decision by any international forum will stop Israel from defending itself,” he said, speaking in English. “Never again is now.”
4 comments:
and raise OUR taxes
This is the chance for Israel to do an absolute annihilation of his enemy. Now and forever.
Later humanity can decide if it was the right or the wrong thing.
who the shit cares????
pinches jodidos and das everybody here...
Por mi, que se partan la madre.
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