US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the war cabinet in Tel Aviv Friday that the United States remains committed to the "lasting defeat of Hamas, including in Rafah" – a message that comes as the US works to deter Israel from launching a full military offensive in Gaza's southernmost city, where more than a million displaced people have fled.
On Thursday, Blinken reiterated that the US does not support a military campaign into Rafah, saying that it would be a “humanitarian disaster.” US and Israeli officials are slated to meet in Washington next week to discuss “alternative actions” to deal with Hamas in Rafah without causing “further harm to civilians,” Blinken said.
However, on Friday, following the meeting with Blinken, Netanyahu publicly doubled down on his commitment to carry out an offensive with or without US support.
According to a readout of the meeting from the US State Department, Blinken also “emphasized the need to protect civilians in Gaza and increase and sustain humanitarian assistance, including through both land and sea routes.”
Blinken discussed efforts on the hostage and immediate ceasefire deal, according to the statement.