As Israel Targets Last Hamas Stronghold of Rafah, Biden Admin Objects

The Middle East is anticipating Israel's next military offensive as it surges toward Hamas' last remaining stronghold, the city of Rafah near the Egyptian border. In the face of the Israeli advance, the White House is pushing back.   

In his sharpest criticism yet, President Joe Biden slammed Israel's military campaign in a press conference Thursday, saying, "I'm of the view, as you know, that the conduct of the response in Gaza, in the Gaza Strip has been over the top."

The president also talked about the negotiations to free the remaining hostages and mixed up the leaders of Mexico and Egypt.

National Security Spokesman John Kirby also warned about the plans to attack Hamas in Rafah, the last Hamas stronghold, near the border with Egypt.

“I could tell you that, absent any full consideration of protecting civilians at that scale in Gaza, military operations right now would be a disaster for those people. And it's not something that we would support," Kirby declared.