Blinken warned Israel: Attack on Rafah will further isolate you

(Patria) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Israel yesterday that an offensive on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip could further isolate it and harm its long-term security.

Speaking to reporters as he left Israel, the top U.S. diplomat said he had held "candid conversations" with Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

After meeting with Blinken, Netanyahu announced that Israel is ready to continue the war against Hamas alone, amid tensions with the U.S. over the conflict in Gaza entering its sixth month.

Blinken says Washington stands with Israel in its goal of destroying Hamas and ensuring its long-term security, but that a "major ground military operation in Rafah" is not the path to that.

- It risks killing more civilians. It risks causing even greater chaos in the delivery of humanitarian aid. It risks further isolating Israel in the world and jeopardizing its long-term stability and standing - Blinken believes.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Netanyahu agreed that an Israeli delegation will visit Washington next week to discuss the plan for Rafah.

- We will be able to present to them in detail how these goals can best be achieved through an integrated humanitarian, military and political plan. We will put all of that on the table. Of course, we will also listen to them - Blinken said.

Blinken also discussed with Israeli officials strengthening humanitarian aid for Gaza residents, mentioning the fact that 100 percent of the population there is at risk of famine.

- In recent days, positive steps have been taken to improve the situation, but it is not enough - Blinken points out.

He adds that the U.S. has teams in Doha negotiating a temporary ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages kidnapped on October 7 in Israel.