The U.S. State Department has indicated that it has not been briefed on any date for an Israeli offensive in Rafah, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's assertion that a date has been set. Statements from State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have underscored the lack of communication on this matter. Blinken also mentioned ongoing discussions with Israel regarding alternative methods to the proposed ground operation in Rafah, expressing concerns about the evacuation of civilians from the area.
🚨🇺🇸🇮🇱BLINKEN REFUTES CLAIM ISRAEL HAS SET DATE FOR RAFAH ATTACK “We still have concerns about Israel’s ability to evacuate civilians from the city of Rafah before any ground operation. We are communicating with Israel about providing alternatives to the ground operation that… https://t.co/8Wtt94O9TI
Netanyahu claims there's a date for the Rafah incursion, Blinken now says that hasn't been communicated to the US. Doesn't expect "any actions being taken" before the DC meetings next week. “I don’t see anything imminent."
Sec Blinken: US did not receive a date for a Rafah operation. US continues to talk with Israel about alterative and effective ways to do it. https://t.co/5jbVL0MtjQ
“Netanyahu just said that a date for the Rafah invasion has been set. Have the Israelis shared that date with the US?” US STATE DEPARTMENT: “We have not been briefed on that date” https://t.co/HbdlVHyCjS https://t.co/hiMYJlRbhz
US indicated Israel has not informed it of Rafah invasion attack despite Netanyahu saying 'the date is set' https://t.co/1ap37KYXKA
Q: Netanyahu just said that a date for the Rafah invasion has been set. Have the Israelis shared that date with the US? STATE DEPARTMENT: We have not been briefed on that date. https://t.co/DpGYqkgPoe
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller says Israel has not yet briefed the Biden admin on the date on which it plans to launch an offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. https://t.co/v8RL8BOjzp
U.S. STATE DEPT: U.S. HAS NOT BEEN BRIEFED ON A DATE FOR ISRAEL'S RAFAH INVASION
The US State Department says Washington has not been briefed on a date for #Israel entering Rafah, after Bibi claimed a date for the offensive has been set.