Ceasefire vote: Bibi calls off envoys’ US visit

U.S. OBJECTS TO MAJOR GROUND OPS IN RAFAH

Jerusalem, 26: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled a high-level delegation’s planned visit to Washington after the U.S. decided not to use its veto power and instead abstained from Monday’s U.N. Security Council demand for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the .

The U.S. has previously vetoed three resolutions calling for a Gaza ceasefire. The resolution, which passed 14-0, calls for a ceasefire during the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan. It also demands the release of all hostages taken captive during Hamas October 7 surprise attack in southern Israel. However, the measure does not link that demand to its call for a cease-fire.

Meanwhile, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the response by Israel to the U.N. resolution was surprising. Were kind of perplexed by this, he said. The Israelis were choosing to create a perception of daylight here when they don’t need to do that, he added.

According to a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the talks, American officials were

Washington, March 26: Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised US opposition to a major ground operation in Rafah with Israel’s defense minister on Monday, after a delegation to discuss Washington’s concerns was scrapped earlier in the day.

In his meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Washington, Blinken reiterated such a move “would further jeopardise the welfare of more than 1.4 million Palestinian civilians sheltering there. — in touch with Israel throughout the weekend to make the U.S. position known on the Security Council resolution, and to articulate that it was not a change in policy or in support for Israel.

Netanyahu did not talk to Biden before he canceled the delegations trip, and Biden does’nt have any immediate plans to phone Netanyahu, the official said. —