Biden: I Don’t Expect Israel To Launch Rafah Operation While Hostage Talks Ongoing

President Joe Biden is advising Israel against commencing an operation in Rafah amid ongoing hostage negotiations.

When questioned about whether Israel has submitted a strategy to the US regarding the safeguarding of civilians in the IDF’s planned Rafah operation, Biden responded after delivering prepared remarks on the passing of Russian detainee Alexei Navalny, stating, “I’ve advocated, and I am deeply convinced, that there needs to be a temporary cessation of hostilities to secure the release of the hostages, and that process is underway. I remain optimistic that it can be achieved.

“Meanwhile, I am not foreseeing, I’m hopeful that the Israelis will refrain from launching any extensive incursion into the territory,” Biden asserts. “It is my anticipation that such action will not occur.”

“A temporary ceasefire is imperative to facilitate the release of those hostages. We find ourselves in a scenario where there are American hostages… It’s not limited to Israelis.”

“I am hopeful and confident that we will reach an agreement on the hostage situation and bring our American citizens back home. Negotiations for the agreement are currently ongoing, and we will wait to see the outcome,” he concludes.

{Matzav.com Israel}