Israel plans invasion of Rafah, Biden calls operations “over the top”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday ordered Israeli officials to plan an evacuation of civilians from the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. Israel has hinted at an upcoming invasion into Rafah, but the United States has said that it wouldn’t support that incursion. Meanwhile, Israel continued its offensive in the Gaza Strip with new airstrikes on Friday. Palestinian officials say at least 15 people were killed in the latest airstrikes. Eight of them were killed in Rafah.

What were Biden’s specific comments? On Thursday, President Joe Biden called Israel’s military operations in the region “over the top.” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the Middle East this week, advocating for a cease-fire agreement in Gaza. Meanwhile, Biden has called for a deal to increase humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Israel this week rejected a Hamas counter-proposal for a cease-fire agreement.

Dig Deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell’s report in WORLD Magazine about UNRWA and why it’s been accused of ties to terrorism.