Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the cancellation of the scheduled visit of a high-level Israeli delegation to the United States, noting that he wanted to send a message to Hamas.
Netanyahu’s office stated that the Palestinian Islamic movement was convinced that international pressure, following the recent resolution of the United Nations Security Council, would hinder Israel from continuing its operations against Hamas, aiming to free hostages in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu said he wanted to assure Hamas that international pressure would not affect Israel. “I hope they have understood the message,” he added.
With a resolution that is legally binding under international law, the United Nations Security Council on Monday called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, for the first time since the start of the war. Additionally, it demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas. The resolution was adopted with 14 votes in favor and one abstention, that of the United States, which chose not to exercise its right of veto.
Netanyahu’s reaction was immediate, as he canceled the visit of the high-level Israeli delegation to Washington. Political analysts interpreted the decision as an angry response to the US decision not to block the resolution by using a veto. “I think the US decision in the Security Council was a very bad move,” the Israeli Prime Minister said today.
Discussions on rescheduling the visit to Washington were initiated
The office of the Israeli Prime Minister informed the White House that it desires to reschedule the meeting regarding the planned military operation in Rafah, at the southern end of the Gaza Strip, as reported by NBC, citing a senior American official.
According to NBC sources, officials from the US and Israeli governments are already seeking a date for the meeting.
The White House had announced the previous week its desire to discuss with Israeli officials alternatives to avoid a ground assault in Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have sought refuge following the outbreak of war, seeking shelter in the southern end of the besieged Palestinian enclave.
