President Biden and Jordan’s King Abdullah II urged Israel on Monday to show restraint ahead of its planned ground assault on the Gaza city of Rafah that the hostages and Palestinian civilians need to be protected.
The two leaders’ remarks came after a White House meeting in which the two talked about increasing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians living in Gaza, how to achieve peace in the region, and a two-state solution that would guarantee Israel’s security and give the Palestinians their own country.
It was the first meeting between the two since three American troops died last month in a drone strike against a U.S. base in Jordan. The Biden administration has blamed Iraqi-based militias with ties to Iran. The militias and other Iranian allies in the region have stepped up their attacks on U.S. and Israeli targets in since Hamas fighters attacked Israel on Oct. 7.
Israel’s looming assault on Rafah, which now holds more than half the Gaza enclave’s population as residents have fled, hung over the meeting. Israeli airstrikes killed at least 94 people overnight Monday, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which says more than 28,000 fighters and civilians have been killed since the launch of the Israeli counter-offensive.
In one bit of good news for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, the Israel Defense Forces said it has freed two of the approximately 100 hostages held by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in a successful operation Sunday. Palestinian officials told The Associated Press that more than 60 people had died in the airstrikes that accompanied the IDF assault on a Gaza apartment complex where the prisoners were being held.
But Mr. Biden urged Mr. Netanyahu in a phone call Sunday to show restraint ahead of an expected ground invasion in Rafah, saying there has already been enough death and suffering in the region.
“The major military operation in Rafah should not proceed without a credible plan for ensuring the safety and support of more than 1 million people sheltering there,” he said.
Mr. Biden said that many others displaced by violence in northern Gaza have fled to Rafah and now they are “exposed and vulnerable.”
Mr. Biden said, “They need to be protected.”
Abdullah was much more pointed in his words, saying the situation in Rafah underscores the need for a permanent cease-fire in the region. Israel has rejected a Hamas offer for a lengthy cease-fire, arguing it would give the organization it considers a terrorist group to reorganize and rearm for fresh fighting down the road.
“The situation is already unbearable for over a million people who have been pushed in Rafah since the war started,” the Jordanian king said. “We cannot stand by and let this continue. We need a lasting cease-fire now.”
United Nations officials have warned that if Israel proceeds with the incursion into Rafah, it will result in thousands of civilian casualties.
Hamas has continued to battle the advancing Israeli forces even with local residents caught in the crossfire.
Martin Griffiths, the United Nations human rights leader, posted on social media that a full-fledged military could result in “unthinkable suffering.”
Mr. Biden also advocated for a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, which would include a six-week pause in combat. He added that his administration has been working “day and night” on striking the deal.
“The key elements of the deal are on the table. There are gaps that remain — but I’ve encouraged Israeli leaders to keep working to achieve the deal. The United States will do everything possible to make it happen,” he said.
But Mr. Netanyahu bluntly rejected the outlines of such a deal hours after meeting with visiting Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week in Jerusalem, saying Hamas had to be defeated and permanently barred from reclaiming power in Gaza.