Vice President Kamala Harris stated on Sunday that the administration is considering potential repercussions for Israel if it chooses to defy President Joe Biden and launch an attack on Hamas in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Biden has issued a public warning to Israel against targeting Hamas in Rafah, citing the significant civilian population in the area that the terrorist group exploits as human shields. Israel argues that victory in the conflict is unattainable without neutralizing the remaining four Hamas battalions in Rafah.
Harris remarkably told t a reporter that “I have studied the maps” of Gaza:
“In a wide-ranging new interview with ABC News, Vice President Kamala Harris suggested there could be “consequences” for Israel if it moves ahead with a planned invasion of Rafah in its pursuit of Hamas fighters. [Senior congressional correspondent Rachel] Scott followed up: “Are you ruling out that there would be consequences from the United States?”
“I am ruling out nothing,” Harris replied.
Israel has stated that it has the capability to relocate civilians to regions close to Rafah amidst the conflict. Following discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s intention to enter Rafah. He also mentioned that although he would prefer to have U.S. backing, Israel is prepared to act independently if necessary. Critics argue that the Biden administration’s actions are inadvertently aiding Hamas’s tactics by obstructing Israel’s efforts to dismantle it.