Blinken to Gallant: US opposes major ground operation in Rafah

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
26 Mar 2024 08:50
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tells the Israeli occupation's security minister that Washington is concerned for the well-being of 1.4 million Palestinian people in Rafah, Gaza.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gestures, as he departs, at Ben Gurion International Airport in 'Tel Aviv', occupied Palestine, Friday, March 22, 2024. (AP)

After Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled an Israeli delegation's trip to the US to discuss Washington's concerns, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed US opposition to a major ground operation in Rafah during talks with the Israeli occupation's security minister Yoav Gallant earlier on Monday.

In his meeting with Gallant in Washington, Blinken reiterated US "opposition to a major ground operation in Rafah," according to the US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Miller expressed that such a move "would further jeopardize the welfare of the more than 1.4 million Palestinian civilians sheltering there," adding that Blinken "underscored that alternatives exist to a major ground invasion that would both better ensure Israel's security and protect Palestinian civilians."

The spokesperson also said that the two officials additionally "discussed the need to immediately surge and sustain additional humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of civilians in Gaza."

'Israel' goes ballistic over UNSC resolution leaving US 'very disappointed'

The US is "very disappointed" by the cancellation of an Israeli delegation's scheduled visit to discuss concerns about a possible attack on Rafah, the White House announced.

National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that the US was disappointed they would not be able to have a "fulsome conversation" about the "viable alternatives" to a Rafah attack.

Following Monday's UNSC vote on Gaza, which the US declined to veto, the United Nations Security Council requested an immediate ceasefire between the Israeli occupation forces and the Palestinian Resistance, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all captives.

The resolution was sponsored by the body's ten elected members, and the remaining 14 council members voted for it.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield claimed that the US was "working around the clock" to drive "diplomacy on the ground," adding that a ceasefire could only take effect if the Palestinian Resistance movement, Hamas, released the first captive.

"In light of the change in the American position, Prime Minister Netanyahu decided the delegation would not leave," a statement from his office revealed.

The statement added that Washington's failure to veto the idea was a "clear retreat" from its earlier position and would jeopardize the war on Gaza and the "efforts to release over 130 captives."