Sat, Mar 2nd, 2024 - 8:32am
March 25, 2024 - 9:39am | By Ty Schonert
(Update: 11:00 a.m.) -- The delegation has since been canceled by Benjamin Netanyahu following the U.S. abstaining from a vote in the UN Security Council.
Netanyahu previously threatened to cancel the delegation if the U.S. did not veto a resolution calling for an "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages", according to Israeli news site Haaretz. The intent of the delegation was to discuss the planned operation in Rafah.
The resolution failed by an 11-3 vote, with Russia and China vetoing the measure. The U.S. has previously vetoed three other ceasefire measures proposed proposed by the U.N. Security council
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(Washington, DC) -- The Biden administration is welcoming an Israeli delegation to the White House for high-level meetings today.
President Biden invited a team of officials to Washington during a recent phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The talks come as the U.S. has been urging Israel to scale back plans for a major offensive that could put Palestinian civilians at risk in Rafah.
The Biden Administration has increasingly levied criticisms against the Israeli government and their military operations in the Gaza Strip against Hamas. Most recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said the country is willing and prepared to enter Rafah by themselves.
"I would also note that Prime Minister Netanyahu said he recognizes there’s a debate about Rafah," said White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby in a press briefing on March 22nd. "I would also note that the Israeli government will be sending a delegation here in coming days to — to talk to us from — in an interagency perspective about some viable options and alternatives to a major ground operation."
You can read more about the statements made by White House staff by clicking here.
