The White House said that it would not support any plans by Israel for a major military operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Secretary of State Antony Blinken had made US concerns about such operations clear during meetings with Israeli officials. “Any major military operation in Rafah at this time, under these circumstances, with more than a million – probably more like a million and a half – Palestinians who are seeking refuge … in Rafah, without due consideration for their safety would be a disaster,” Mr Kirby stated.
