Biden Calls on Israel to Ensure Safety of Civilians in Rafah during Israel Gaza Conflict

US President Joe Biden has expressed concern about the Israeli offensive in Rafah and emphasized the need for a credible plan to ensure the safety of over one million displaced Palestinians. He acknowledged the vulnerability of these individuals and stressed the importance of their protection. A local doctor in Rafah has also highlighted the fear experienced by the community. The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, condemned the assault, emphasizing the potential loss of civilian lives. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his intention to expand the ground operation to Rafah and vowed to eliminate Hamas militants in the city. Rafah has already been heavily targeted by Israeli airstrikes, resulting in casualties. More than half of the Gaza Strip's population is currently residing in Rafah under inadequate conditions, lacking access to basic necessities like drinking water and food. In a separate development, Israel's military successfully rescued two Israeli-Argentine hostages during a raid in Rafah. President Biden, following a meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah, reiterated his appeal for the protection of Rafah's civilians, emphasizing that the Gaza population has faced multiple displacements and should not be forced out. The White House has previously expressed its opposition to major Israeli operations in Rafah without considering the wellbeing of the refugees. Many individuals have already fled the ongoing ground operation in the rest of the Gaza Strip. Numerous countries and international organizations have cautioned Israel against launching the planned offensive. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron has urged Israel to carefully reconsider its actions in Rafah, while the EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, called for a cessation of arms shipments to prevent further casualties. Saudi Arabia has also warned of serious consequences if Rafah is stormed, and Hamas has predicted tens of thousands of casualties in the event of an operation, arguing that it would jeopardize negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages held by the group. Rafah serves as the sole entry point for humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israel initiated its operations in the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas-led gunmen killing over 1,200 people in southern Israel and taking 253 individuals hostage. While some hostages have been released, Israel reports that 134 are still missing. According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, 164 people were killed and 200 injured in Gaza within the last day alone, contributing to a total of 28,340 Palestinian deaths and nearly 68,000 injuries since October 7.