The population of Rafah is estimated at one million and 400 thousand people (French)
Politico newspaper quoted 3 American officials as saying that the administration of US President Joe Biden will not punish Israel if it launches a military campaign in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip without providing protection for civilians in the city.
The newspaper said that the three officials - who preferred to remain anonymous - told it that Washington does not plan to rebuke Israel, which means that Israeli forces can enter Rafah and harm civilians in the city without suffering any consequences from the United States of America.
Observers believe that this information represents a green light from the American administration for the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to move forward with his plan to invade the city, which is considered the last refuge for hundreds of thousands of displaced people, despite international condemnation and mounting warnings of the resulting massacres of innocent civilians.
Statements issued by senior officials in the US administration indicate that the imminent Israeli invasion of the city, which is crowded with 1,400,000 people, will not affect American support for Israel, despite the Biden administration’s announcement that it wants Israel to develop a plan to protect civilians before the invasion begins.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, in response to a question during a press conference whether the US President had threatened to stop military aid to Israel if it went ahead with its plan to invade the city, that Washington will continue to support Israel, and added, “We will continue to ensure that they obtain the necessary tools and capabilities.” To do that".
Approval of aid to Israel
Yesterday, Tuesday, the US Senate, controlled by Democrats, approved an aid package worth $95.34 billion for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, amid doubts about its approval in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
Commenting on the approval, Biden said, “The aid package approved by the Senate responds to our national security priorities in the Middle East, and includes significant support for our soldiers there who are facing attacks by Iranian-backed militias.”
He stressed that the aid "provides Israel with what it needs to protect its people from terrorist groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and others."
The draft law with the aid package must be approved by the US Congress, with its Senate and House of Representatives, before Biden can sign it into law.
Source: Politico + Reuters