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Vice President Kamala Harris declined to rule out “consequences” for Israel if it strikes ahead with an invasion of Rafah in Gaza on Sunday.
Harris made the assertion in an interview with ABC News, saying such a transfer by Netanyahu’s authorities could be a “huge mistake.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated an invasion is imminent, arguing it’s mandatory to totally root out Hamas.
“Netanyahu appears to be just flat out ignoring President Biden’s warning about an offensive in Rafah. Is that a red line for your administration?” ABC’s Rachel Scott requested.
“We have been clear in multiple conversations and in every way that any major military operation in Rafah would be a huge mistake,” Harris advised the outlet when requested about potential penalties. “Let me tell you something: I have studied the maps. There’s nowhere for those folks to go.”
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Vice President Kamala Harris declined to rule out “consequences” for Israel if it strikes ahead with an invasion of Rafah in Gaza on Sunday. (Leigh Vogel/Abaca/Bloomberg by way of Getty Images)
“A mistake, but would there be consequences if [Netanyahu] does move forward?” Scott pressed.
“We’re going to take it one step at a time, but we’ve been very clear in terms of our perspective on whether or not [an invasion] should happen,” Harris responded.
“Are you ruling out that there would be consequences from the United States?” Scott pressed once more.
“I am ruling out nothing,” Harris stated.
The change comes days after Netanyahu vowed Israel would transfer ahead with an invasion with or with out U.S. assist on Friday.
Netanyahu nonetheless agreed to ship a high-level delegation to satisfy with White House officers this week to find out whether or not a compromise could be made.
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A satellite tv for pc picture reveals tent shelters for displaced individuals in Rafah in the Gaza Strip on Feb. 7. President Biden’s administration is urging Israel to not transfer ahead with an invasion of the space. (Reuters/Maxar Technologies)
Israel says Rafah is the final remaining stronghold of Hamas and the terrorist group’s forces there have to be defeated for Israel to satisfy its conflict aims. Israel vowed to destroy Hamas following the group’s Oct. 7 assault, which killed some 1,200 individuals, took 250 others hostage and triggered the fierce Israeli air and floor offensive in Gaza.
Rafah now serves as shelter to roughly 1 million Palestinians displaced by the Gaza conflict, nonetheless. The Biden administration has insisted that any plan for an invasion should embody clear and sturdy protections for civilians, they usually have but to be glad with Israel’s precautions.
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There is a rising divide between President Biden’s administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s authorities. (AP Photo)
Netanyahu stated he advised Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Israel is working on methods to evacuate civilians from fight zones and to deal with the humanitarian wants of Gaza. Nevertheless, he stated an invasion of Rafah is imminent.
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“I also said that we have no way to defeat Hamas without entering Rafah,” Netanyahu stated. “I told him that I hoped we would do this with U.S. support, but, if necessary, we will do it alone.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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