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Netanyahu defies Biden, says ‘there is a date’ for invasion of Hamas stronghold

April 9, 2024 | | Print Article

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he plans to go ahead with the invasion of Rafah in Southern Gaza despite being bullied by President Joe Biden.

The White House and its allies are determined to orchestrate a premature ceasefire before the threat to the Jewish state by the Hamas terror organization has been neutralized and Netanyahu doesn’t appear to be backing down amid threats that the U.S. could cut off aid to the longtime ally.

In a video posted to the X platform on Monday, the Israeli leader said “there is a date” for the invasion of the last remaining Hamas stronghold, defying the geriatric president whose reelection hopes rest on him being able to quell a revolt among his Jew-hating base, particularly Michigan Muslims.

“Today I received a detailed report on the talks in Cairo, we are constantly working to achieve our goals, first and foremost the release of all our hostages and achieving a complete victory over Hamas,” the prime minister said.

“It will happen, there is a date,”  Netanyahu vowed without providing further details.

Three unnamed Israeli officials told Axios that “CIA Director Bill Burns presented in Cairo on Sunday a new proposal to advance a deal between Israel and Hamas that would secure the release of 40 hostages held in Gaza in return for a six-week ceasefire,” the “talks” that the prime minister was referring to.

Netanyahu’s message comes after a highly publicized phone call between the two leaders last week in which Biden demanded an “immediate ceasefire” after a deadly mistake in which seven aid workers for the World Central Kitchen were killed.

It was the sort of thing that often happens in warzones but was seized upon by anti-Israel interests and the media to push for the elusive ceasefire, allowing Hamas to survive and to one day regroup while giving Biden time to heal the rift with his base that has seen mass protests against “Genocide Joe” and a message from over 100,000 Michigan Democrats who voted “uncommitted” in the state’s February primary.

“Today, I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu to emphasize that strikes on aid workers and the humanitarian situation in Gaza are unacceptable,” Biden said on X last Thursday. “Israel must implement steps to address civilian harm and the safety of workers – and work toward a ceasefire to bring hostages home.”

“I will just add that we have consistently made clear that we don’t support a major ground operation in Rafah. I would also add that we don’t see any signs that such a major ground operation is imminent or that these troops are being repositioned for that kind of a ground operation,” Biden regime spox John Kirby told reporters on Monday, addressing a question about a recent Israeli troop drawdown that Hamas touted as a victory.

“A major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we don’t support. And, it’s also not necessary to deal with Hamas, which is necessary,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a news conference in Cairo last month.

Chris Donaldson
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