In a recent interview on ABC's "This Week," Vice President Kamala Harris expressed concern over the possibility of Israel launching a major military operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah. Harris emphasized that any such operation would be a "huge mistake" and highlighted the lack of safe spaces for Palestinian civilians who have sought refuge in Rafah. She underlined that the Biden administration has been clear in multiple conversations regarding the potential disastrous consequences of a military offensive in the city.

Referring to the estimated 1.4 million Palestinians who have flocked to Rafah during Israel's offensive to the north, Harris stressed the importance of having a robust plan in place to protect civilians before undertaking any military action. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration, however, perceives Rafah as one of the last strongholds of Hamas in the region and has indicated a willingness to proceed with an offensive without the Biden administration's approval.

When questioned about potential consequences for Israel if it bypasses the administration's "red line," Harris declined to deny the possibility, instead stating that they would approach the situation one step at a time. Earlier this month, President Joe Biden had asserted that an all-out invasion of Rafah by Israel would be a "red line" for his administration. However, he later clarified that he would not cut off all weapons supply to Israel, citing the importance of the Iron Dome defense system.

This week, a delegation from Israel is expected to meet with top officials in Washington DC to explore alternatives for addressing the situation in Rafah. Tensions between Biden and Netanyahu have reportedly been high, with the two leaders having spoken for the first time in approximately a month. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has also created divisions within the Democratic Party.

Last Friday, a US-backed resolution calling for a ceasefire in Israel failed in the United Nations. This marked a significant departure from the usual stance of Washington, which often derails UN resolutions that conflict with Israel's interests. Additionally, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for new elections in Israel, characterizing Netanyahu as an "obstacle" to peace. Harris, however, refrained from expressing a view on Schumer's comment, emphasizing that it is for the Israeli people to decide their government's leadership.

Apart from discussing the Israel-Hamas war, Vice President Harris also addressed the chaos unfolding at the US-Mexico border. She acknowledged the broken immigration system and the need for comprehensive reform. Harris blamed Republicans for obstructing a Senate deal to address the border crisis, which was part of a larger supplemental package aimed at providing assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

In relation to national security concerns, Harris voiced support for a bipartisan legislation passed by the House of Representatives, compelling ByteDance to divest from TikTok. The bill aims to address worries over US data privacy and security, given ByteDance's ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Harris clarified that the intention was not to ban TikTok outright but to ensure national security interests are protected. The legislation would require ByteDance to sell off TikTok within the next six months or face a ban from major app stores.

It is worth mentioning that the Biden-Harris campaign is actively present on TikTok, underscoring the importance of addressing the potential security risks associated with the popular social media platform.

As tensions continue to rise, both externally and within the Democratic Party, the Biden administration faces ongoing challenges in navigating the Israel-Hamas conflict, border issues, and national security concerns.