Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled the planned trip of the Israeli delegation to Washington, which President Joe Biden personally requested a week ago, after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. This was reported by CCN, according to UNN.
Details
It is noted that Netanyahu threatened to withdraw the delegation if the United States does not veto the UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on Monday. The US abstained from voting, which allowed the resolution to pass.
U.S. officials planned to offer the Israeli delegation a set of alternative options for dealing with Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, hoping to prevent what the U.S. believes could be a humanitarian catastrophe if Israel launches a full-scale ground invasion.
Netanyahu rejects Biden's request to cancel ground attack on Rafah in Gaza3/20/24, 2:12 AM
U.S. officials have said that these alternatives will still be discussed, including during talks earlier this week between top Biden advisers and Israel's defense minister. But the public breakdown of private talks was a vivid illustration that the dynamics between Israel and its main sponsor are becoming increasingly dangerous.
U.S. officials said they were puzzled by Netanyahu's decision to withdraw the delegation. In the White House, the move was seen as an overreaction, most likely reflecting Netanyahu's own domestic political problems.
A few hours after the visit was canceled, Israeli Minister Gideon Saar resigned from the current government because he was not included in the military cabinet.
Recall
The UN Security Council voted in favor of a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan, but the US abstained, warning that it could harm ongoing ceasefire negotiations.