During an interview with MSNBC News on Saturday, US President Joe Biden initially stated that he had set a "red line" concerning a potential Israeli offensive in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. However, he swiftly retracted this assertion, emphasizing that he would "never" abandon Israel. This marked the first instance of President Biden using the term "red line" about the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which was reignited following an attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israel has reportedly planned an incursion into Rafah, where a significant portion of Gaza's population, including over 1 million Palestinians out of 2.3 million, have sought refuge. Despite warnings from the United Nations that the proposed offensive could result in a massacre, President Biden and his advisers have urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to postpone the operation until there is a comprehensive plan in place to evacuate all civilians from Rafah.
Rafah remains the last area in Gaza yet to be captured by Israeli ground forces.
During the MSNBC News interview, President Biden expressed concerns about the potential loss of Palestinian lives in the event of the Israeli offensive, stating that Israel cannot afford to have thousands more Palestinian casualties as a consequence of targeting Palestinian militants. He emphasized the importance of finding alternative approaches to address the trauma inflicted by Hamas.
When asked if the anticipated Israeli offensive in Rafah would constitute a "red line" for him, Biden responded, "It is a red line, but I will always stand by Israel. Safeguarding Israel remains imperative." He clarified that he would not impose a red line that would sever all forms of assistance, ensuring that Israel retains access to defensive technologies like the Iron Dome missile defense system.
President Biden further stressed the need for Prime Minister Netanyahu to prioritize the protection of innocent lives, cautioning that civilian casualties undermine Israel's interests and characterizing such actions as detrimental.
Additionally, Biden reiterated his efforts to broker a six-week ceasefire in Gaza, aimed at facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid and potentially securing the release of hostages. He expressed optimism about achieving a ceasefire before the start of Ramadan on March 11.
Since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October of the previous year, Gaza has witnessed a devastating toll, with over 30,878 fatalities and 72,402 injuries reported. Meanwhile, the death toll in Israel surpassed 1,200, including individuals from other nations. Israeli authorities estimate that 134 Israelis and foreign nationals remain held captive in Gaza.
