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Yesterday, Joe Biden deigned to take a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It was reportedly their first conversation in more than a month. This was probably an awkward conversation for Biden and the only topic of discussion was undoubtedly the war in Gaza. The result of the call was an agreement for Bibi Netanyahu to send a delegation of Israeli officials to Washington to meet in person with some of their counterparts from the Biden administration. They will reportedly discuss Israel’s upcoming offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. While it’s possible that some productive work might be accomplished, it’s unclear why such a trip needed to be made in person during this critical juncture in the war. It will also highlight the deteriorating relationship between Biden and Netanyahu, neither of whom will attend the meeting. (Associated Press)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday agreed to send a team of Israeli officials to Washington to discuss with Biden administration officials a prospective Rafah operation as each side is looking to make “clear to the other its perspective,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said.
The agreement to hold talks about Rafah came as Biden and Netanyahu spoke Monday, their first interaction in more than a month, as the divide has grown between allies over the food crisis in Gaza and Israel’s conduct during the war, according to the White House.
