US President Joe Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this afternoon (Monday) to discuss the recent activity in Rafah, where the IDF has begun calling on residents to evacuate ahead of an expected military operation in the city.
In a conversation that lasted about half an hour, Biden clarified his positions regarding Rafah and emphasized that he believes a hostage deal is the way to avoid having the IDF enter Rafah.
"We believe that a hostage deal is the best way to save lives and avoid entering Rafah," explained a US National Security Council spokesperson at the White House before the leaders' conversation.
The White House stated, "President Biden spoke this morning with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The President reaffirmed his message on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. The two leaders discussed the shared commitment of Israel and the United States to remember the six million Jews who were systematically targeted and murdered in the Holocaust, one of the darkest chapters in human history, and to forcefully act against antisemitism and all forms of hate-fueled violence."
"President Biden updated the Prime Minister on efforts to secure a hostage deal, including through ongoing talks today in Doha, Qatar. The Prime Minister agreed to ensure the Kerem Shalom crossing is open for humanitarian assistance for those in need. The President reiterated his clear position on Rafah."
This morning the IDF began preparations for the evacuation of the civilian population in Rafah, as part of the preparations for a military operation in the city.
In recent hours, flyers were dropped calling on the residents of eastern Rafah to evacuate temporarily toward the expanded humanitarian area.
Calls to temporarily move to the humanitarian area are conveyed through flyers, SMS messages, phone calls, and media broadcasts in Arabic.