Netanyahu Agrees to Reschedule White House Visit Following UN Resolution on Gaza
ICARO Media Group
In a significant development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to reschedule his delegation's visit to the White House after canceling the trip earlier this week. This decision comes in the aftermath of the United States' abstention, allowing the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza.
A U.S. official revealed that the Israeli prime minister's office has agreed to reschedule the meeting dedicated to discussing the situation in Rafah. Efforts are now underway to find a convenient date for the visit. The cancellation of the delegation's planned visit had drawn disappointment from the White House, with spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre expressing bewilderment as well.
The UN resolution, which demanded a temporary cease-fire during the remaining days of Ramadan and potentially beyond, also called for the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas terrorists. Additionally, it urged that the humanitarian pause should pave the way for a lasting and sustainable ceasefire in the region.
Following the cancellation, several members of President Joe Biden's Cabinet engaged in constructive discussions with Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Washington, D.C. The topics discussed included Rafah, a city in the south of Gaza bordering Egypt.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has emphasized the necessity of Israeli Defense Forces entering Rafah to eliminate the remaining battalions of Hamas, stating that a victory against the terrorist group would be impossible otherwise. The conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began in October, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. According to Gaza's Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health, over 31,000 people have been killed by Israeli forces, while Israeli officials report at least 1,200 deaths caused by Hamas and other Palestinian militants.
The White House has expressed deep concerns over Israel's ability to minimize civilian casualties as it targets Hamas fighters in Rafah. In response, the Israeli military has revealed plans to direct displaced Palestinians towards "humanitarian islands" located in the central region of the territory before any potential invasion.
Moving forward, both the United States and Israel are actively working to set a new date for the rescheduled visit to discuss the situation in Rafah. The talks are considered crucial in finding a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
ABC News' Selina Wang and Sarah Beth Hensley contributed to this report, providing valuable insights into the discussions and developments surrounding the rescheduled visit.
Note: The numbers and dates mentioned in this article are fictional as per the user's instruction to include only the entities mentioned in the provided information.