Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly defended his decision to go ahead with the offensive in Rafah despite US President Joe Biden’s warning that such a move would be a “red line,” according to ANI News.
We’ll go there. We’re not going to leave. You know, I have a red line. You know what the red line is, that October 7 doesn’t happen again. Never happens again.
Netanyahu stressed that he would not back down, citing the Hamas attack on 7 October as a decisive factor in his resolve. Biden criticised him, claiming he was “hurting more than helping” Israel by failing to control the number of casualties.
” […] In my view, he’s hurting Israel more than helping Israel by making the rest of the world – it’s contrary to what Israel stands for. And I think it’s a big mistake.”
Without naming Arab countries, Netanyahu claimed he had received implicit support from numerous leaders to continue the offensive against Hamas.
They understand that, and even agree with it quietly. They understand Hamas is part of the Iranian terror axis. We’ve destroyed three-quarters of Hamas’ fighting terrorism battalions. And we’re close to finishing the last part in warfare.
Responding to international pressure for a ceasefire, Netanyahu rejected the idea of a pause in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, arguing that while he would “like to see another hostage release,” he saw no “breakthrough in the negotiations.”
“[The Israeli people] also support my position that says that we should resoundingly reject the attempt to ram down our throats a Palestinian state. That is something that they agree on.”
When asked about his preference for Republican candidate Donald Trump, Netanyahu refrained from commenting. In an attempt to maintain support for Israel among US voters, he acknowledged the delicate balance Biden faced.
The last thing I want to do is enter the American political arena.
The interview also touched on the possibility of expanding Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Netanyahu left the door open for a military operation to ensure the return of people who fled their homes in northern Israel over fears of cross-border attacks.
