US President Joe Biden warns Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu against major Rafah offensive, citing reason it may trigger civilians casualties in large numbers.

The Eagle News Service:

US President Joe Biden has warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against launching an offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, citing reason it may trigger mass civilians casualties.

The divide between the two leaders is continuously growing due to mounting Palestinian death toll in Gaza.

The call between US President and Israeli Prime Minister came as Israel appeared to be moving closer to a major military operation to root out Hamas militants in Rafah. US president and his top aides repeatedly told Israeli officials that Rafah offensive will only lead to more death and worsen the despair in the war-ravaged territory.

Both leaders are facing growing public pressure — US president Joe Biden from protests on college campuses and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu from the families of some Israeli hostages — for a cease-fire deal.

“The US president does not want to see operations in Rafah that put at greater risk the more than a million people that are seeking refuge there,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said.