Biden Dials Netanyahu During His Meeting with CIA Chief to Warn Against Entering Rafah. His Response

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden spoke for 40 minutes on Thursday evening where both leaders discussed the impending operation in Rafah, hostage release and the humanitarian crisis that has gripped the Gaza Strip in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, according to a report by the Times of Israel.

The American readout of the phone call says that Biden warned Netanyahu about the risks to civilians in case the Israeli forces decide on a full-scale invasion of Rafah.

“The President… reiterated his view that a military operation should not proceed without a credible and executable plan for ensuring the safety of and support for the civilians in Rafah,” a readout of the call from the White House said.

“The president reaffirmed his commitment to working tirelessly to support the release of all hostages as soon as possible, recognizing their appalling situation after 132 days in Hamas captivity,” the readout further added.

Biden’s call came shortly after Netanyahu, his war cabinet and the national security cabinet met the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief William Burns. According to Israeli media, Netanyahu stopped the meeting to take the call.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu ended his meeting with Burns and then released a statement where he highlighted that Israel will not be pressured into accepting a Palestinian state.

“My positions can be summarized in the following two sentences,” said Netanyahu. Israel categorically rejects international dictates regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians. Such an arrangement will be reached only through direct negotiations between the parties, without preconditions,” Netahyahu said.

Netanyahu then also appeared to reject the two-state solution that the US and other international players want Israel to commit to once the Gaza war ends.

“Israel will continue to oppose the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Such recognition in the wake of the October 7 massacre would give a huge reward to unprecedented terrorism and prevent any future peace settlement,” Netanyahu said, warning that such a measure would encourage terrorist groups like Hamas.

A separate report Thursday said that US and several Arab partners are preparing a detailed plan for a comprehensive peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians that also included a “firm timeline” for a Palestinian state.