(Tel Aviv, Israel) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken is warning that an Israeli military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah would risk “further isolating” Israel.
Blinken spoke to reporters Friday as he departed Israel, and said he had “candid conversations” with top officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Blinken said a ground operation in Rafah would risk killing more civilians and worsen the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
An Israeli delegation is set to visit Washington next week to discuss Israel’s plans for Rafah.