On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel had canceled a scheduled visit to the US by a high-level delegation as a means of conveying a message to Hamas.
This decision came after the US declined to veto a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. During a meeting with US Senator Rick Scott, Netanyahu expressed his concerns about the US decision, emphasizing that it had encouraged Hamas to adopt a more rigid stance and believe that international pressure would prevent Israel from rescuing the hostages and dismantling Hamas.
Netanyahu clarified that the cancellation of the delegation’s visit was intended as a message primarily directed at Hamas, conveying that they should not rely on such pressure tactics as they would prove ineffective. He expressed hope that Hamas had received the message, and his office shared a video of his remarks on social media.
The purpose of the delegation’s visit was to discuss the planned Israeli military operation in Rafah, a city located in the southern part of Gaza. The White House had publicly advised against the attack, arguing that it would further exacerbate the situation for displaced Palestinian civilians.
The decision made by Netanyahu was deemed unexpected and regrettable by the US State Department, while the White House expressed their disappointment. The US officials were puzzled by the snub, emphasizing that the Security Council abstention did not signify a change in policy, as stated by National Security Council spokesman John Kirby during a press briefing.
According to unnamed US officials who spoke to Axios, Netanyahu’s actions were considered counterproductive, suggesting that he should have reached out to President Joe Biden instead of taking the course of action he did. The tensions escalated further when Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Netanyahu and called for new elections in Israel, attributing blame for the conflict to the prime minister.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas intensified after a series of raids by Hamas led to the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 240 others on October 7. Subsequently, Israel launched a military operation against the Gaza-based Palestinian group, resulting in the deaths of over 32,000 Palestinians, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry. UN Human Rights Council rapporteur Francesca Albanese accused Israel of committing “genocide” in the enclave, further exacerbating the situation.
