After discussions at the White House with King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Joe Biden stated that the United States is working on a deal to secure the release of hostages that could lead to a period of calm for about 6 weeks. He emphasized the importance for the Israeli army to ensure the safety of civilians during the military operation in Rafah.
President Biden mentioned that he had conversations during the month with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as leaders from Egypt and Qatar, to push for progress on this deal.
He affirmed that while there are some agreement elements and gaps on the table, he encourages Israeli leaders to move forward towards reaching an agreement, stating that the United States will do everything possible to achieve that.
Biden clarified that the United States opposes the forced displacement of Gaza residents and stressed the need to provide protection for over a million displaced Palestinians in Rafah.
Humanitarian Disaster
On his part, King Abdullah of Jordan expressed that humanity cannot bear the cost of any attack on Rafah, adding that any Israeli attack on Rafah would lead to what he called a “humanitarian disaster”.
He further expressed deep concern about the potential danger of displacing Palestinians outside Gaza and the West Bank, affirming that such a scenario cannot be allowed, and emphasizing that peace cannot exist without a political horizon.
In a statement, the White House mentioned that the President and King of Jordan discussed the importance of stability in the West Bank and the broader Middle East, with Biden underscoring the significance of preserving the current status quo in the Noble Sanctuary of Jerusalem.
