U.S. and Israeli officials held a virtual meeting on April 1 to discuss Israel’s potential invasion of the Gazan city of Rafah. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed the meeting and emphasized the need for dialogue before any military action is taken, especially considering the presence of Hamas operatives in Rafah.
The U.S. delegation, led by national security adviser Jake Sullivan, engaged in constructive discussions with the Israeli side, led by national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and minister for strategic affairs Ron Dermer. The meeting, part of the Strategic Consultative Group (SCG), resulted in an agreement between the two sides to work towards the shared objective of defeating Hamas in Rafah.
Following the meeting, a joint statement was released by the White House, highlighting the concerns expressed by the U.S. side regarding potential courses of action in Rafah. The Israeli side agreed to consider these concerns and agreed to further discussions between experts overseen by the SCG.
The article also touches on the recent U.N. Security Council resolution, the cancellation and subsequent reversal of a planned in-person meeting between Israeli and U.S. officials in Washington, and the ongoing support of the Biden administration for Israel in the conflict with Hamas.
Overall, the article provides a detailed account of the diplomatic discussions surrounding Israel’s possible invasion of Rafah, shedding light on the complexities and tensions involved in the situation. Could you please rewrite this sentence?
Source link