Pressure Mounts on Israel as Biden and Netanyahu Discuss Rafah Invasion and Ceasefire

In a high-stakes diplomatic move, U.S. President Joe Biden has once again engaged in talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the pressure mounts on both Israel and Hamas to strike a deal that would secure the release of Israeli hostages and bring an end to the nearly seven-month-long conflict in Gaza.

The White House revealed that Biden reiterated his firm stance against Israel’s planned invasion of Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, a move that has sparked global concern for the over 1 million Palestinians seeking refuge there. The U.S. has expressed opposition to the invasion on humanitarian grounds, straining relations between the two allies. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to return to the Middle East on Monday in a bid to facilitate negotiations.

Biden emphasized the need for sustained and enhanced delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, signaling a shift in tone from previous discussions where he warned of potential consequences for U.S. support to Israel. Meanwhile, a senior official from Qatar, a key mediator in the conflict, urged both Israel and Hamas to show more commitment and seriousness in their negotiations.

As tensions escalate, an Israeli delegation is expected to meet with Egyptian officials to discuss new proposals, while a Hamas delegation is also set to head to Cairo. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with growing pressure for a cease-fire deal to prevent further escalation and a potential Israeli incursion into Rafah, a move that has raised alarm worldwide.

The ongoing conflict has taken a heavy toll on both sides, with civilian casualties mounting and aid organizations warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As efforts to reach a resolution intensify, the world waits anxiously for a breakthrough in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas.