Headline Roundup • February 12th, 2024
Expected Israeli Assault on Rafah Causes International Concern
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Western and Arab leaders are expressing concerns over Israel’s anticipated assault on Rafah, a densely populated city in the Gaza Strip, now home to an estimated 1.3 million displaced Palestinians.
The Details: Israeli forces believe removing Hamas from power cannot be achieved without taking Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza. Concerns have been raised about where the displaced Palestinians, who were urged by the Israeli forces to move south during the bombing campaign in northern Gaza, will relocate if an Israeli assault materializes.
Key Quotes: Speaking alongside Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House on Monday, President Joe Biden said, “The major military operation in Rafah should not proceed without a credible plan to ensure the safety and support of more than 1 million people sheltering there. Many people there have been displaced -- displaced multiple times, fleeing the violence to the north. And now they’re packed into Rafah, exposed and vulnerable. They need to be protected.” Biden also told reporters that the U.S. is “working on hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, which would bring an immediate and sustained period of calm to Gaza for at least six weeks.”
How the Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum emphasized the international pressure on Israel. The Hill (Center bias) focused on efforts to negotiate a deal to pause fighting. The Washington Examiner (Lean Right bias) focused on the American support for Israel’s while acknowledging the calls for a well-thought-out plan for the safety of civilians.
This summary was developed with the help of AllSides' AI technology.
Featured Coverage of this Story
Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post
President Biden and Jordan’s King Abdullah II, speaking jointly at the White House Monday, warned against an indiscriminate Israeli invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, creating an event that had not previously occurred during the Israel-Hamas war--the president standing alongside an Arab leader to voice reservations about the Israeli onslaught in the Palestinian enclave.
“The major military operation in Rafah should not proceed without a credible plan to ensure the safety and support of more than 1 million people sheltering there,” Biden said, referring to Israel’s stated plans to invade...
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
President Biden said Monday the United States is working on brokering a deal that would lead to a release of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza that could lead to a six-week pause in fighting in order to give officials more time to find “something more enduring.”
Biden said he discussed the ongoing negotiations, which involve the U.S., Israel, Egypt and Qatar, during a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan, who was at the White House on Monday.
“As the king and I discussed today, the United States...
AP Photo/Fatima Shbair
The Biden administration does support Israeli forces going into the southern Gaza city of Rafah as long as their strategy accounts for the significant civilian population that has relocated there.
Leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, and United Nations, among others, have raised concerns about Israel’s intent to go into Rafah, which is now home to roughly 1.3 million Palestinians who evacuated from the northern part of the enclave. But a U.S. administration official clarified on Monday that it supports Israel’s effort to capture or kill senior Hamas leaders...
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