U.S. President Joe Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday that an Israeli navy operation in Rafah would deepen anarchy in Gaza and so they agreed that groups from all sides would meet in Washington to debate it, the White Home mentioned.

White Home nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan informed reporters the 2 nations would have a complete dialogue on the best way ahead in Gaza, the place a humanitarian disaster is raging after six months of preventing.

The assembly might occur this week or subsequent, Sullivan mentioned, and no Rafah operation would proceed earlier than the talks.

“Anarchy reigns in areas that Israel’s navy has cleared, however not stabilized” in Gaza and a humanitarian disaster would deepen if Israel have been to go forward with an offensive in Rafah, Sullivan mentioned, summarizing Biden’s message to Netanyahu.

“We’ve had many discussions in many alternative ranges between our navy, our intelligence, our diplomats or humanitarian specialists, however we’ve got not but had the chance to have an all-encompassing complete, built-in, strategic dialogue…,” he mentioned.

3:09
EU says Israel ‘scary famine’ in Gaza as UN-backed report suggests imminent disaster

The 2 leaders have had more and more tense relations over Gaza. Sullivan described the dialog as “businesslike” and mentioned it didn’t finish abruptly. Biden didn’t threaten to restrict U.S. help to Israel, he mentioned.

Biden informed Netanyahu that he wants a coherent technique for Gaza, Sullivan mentioned, “slightly than Israel go smashing into Rafah.” He reiterated U.S. assist for the Israeli effort to destroy Hamas militants who attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7.

Sullivan additionally confirmed that Marwan Issa, the No.3 chief inside Hamas’ ranks, was killed in an Israeli operation final week. Hamas has not commented.

The decision was the primary between the 2 leaders since Feb. 15 and comes amid sharp tensions between Israel and its most steadfast ally over Netanyahu’s dealing with of the battle in Gaza.

Netanyahu mentioned the 2 males mentioned Israel’s dedication to attain all of the targets it had set out for the battle: eliminating Hamas, releasing all of the hostages and guaranteeing Gaza would now not pose a menace to Israel.

This could be completed “whereas offering the required humanitarian help that helps obtain these objectives,” he mentioned in an announcement.

In a speech on Thursday, Senate Majority chief Chuck Schumer, a longtime supporter of Israel and the highest-ranking Jewish elected official, referred to as for brand new elections in Israel and mentioned Netanyahu was an impediment to peace.

4:03
Schumer calls for brand new elections in Israel, criticizes Netanyahu: ‘He’s misplaced his means’

Biden praised the speech the next day and mentioned that Schumer had echoed the considerations of many Individuals.

Netanyahu responded harshly on Sunday, telling CNN in an interview that Schumer’s speech was “completely inappropriate.”

Netanyahu reaffirmed to a cupboard assembly on Sunday that Israeli forces would thrust into Rafah, the final comparatively protected place within the tiny, crowded enclave, regardless of worldwide stress for Israel to keep away from additional civilian casualties.

–Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Doina Chiacu and Steve Holland, writing by David Ljunggren; Modifying by Susan Heavey, Alex Richardson, Heather Timmons, Cynthia Osterman and Deepa Babington