Netanyahu counters Biden's concerns of support declining for Israel over rising Gaza deaths

JERUSALEM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu countered on Tuesday US President Joe Biden's concern that ongoing civilian casualties in Gaza could diminish international backing for Israel by affirming strong support from the American public.

“Israel has had the overwhelming support of the vast majority of nations. If it keeps this up with this incredibly conservative government they have, and (National Security Minister Itamar) Ben-Gvir and others, they’re going to lose support from around the world, and that is not in Israel’s interest,” Biden said in a live interview on NBC on Monday.

“There are too many innocent people that are being killed,” he added.

In response, Netanyahu stated on Tuesday: “Since the beginning of the war, I have been leading a political campaign whose purpose is to curb the pressures intended to end the war before its time, and on the other hand also to gain support for Israel.”

He also pointed out the findings of the Harvard Harris Poll which highlights that 82% of Americans backing Israel support their resolve to pursue military action until achieving victory.

“That means four out of five citizens in the United States support Israel, and not Hamas,” Netanyahu said.

“This gives us two more strength to continue the campaign until complete victory,” he added.

On Feb. 9, Netanyahu instructed the Israeli military to devise a plan for the “evacuation’’ of Rafah, where displaced Palestinians were seeking refuge, and to prepare for potential military action in this region for “war cabinets.’’

Rafah, a haven for displaced Palestinians

Before the Israeli attacks, Rafah city, located on the Gaza-Egypt border in the southern region, accommodated around 280,000 Palestinians.

However, following the assaults on Oct. 7, nearly 1.9 million out of the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million inhabitants were displaced.

The majority of displaced Palestinians sought safety in Rafah, a location previously deemed "secure" by Israel. With an influx of people from the northern areas, Rafah's population surged more than fivefold to reach 1.5 million.

Due to insufficient housing, most of the Palestinians who sought refuge in Rafah are facing hardships, trying to survive in makeshift camps composed of tents.

Israeli forces often conduct airstrikes on Rafah city. There are concerns that if Israel initiates a ground assault on Rafah, civilians in the Gaza Strip will have nowhere to seek refuge.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi in Istanbul