Biden calls on Israel not to risk the safety of 1.5 million with planned offensive in Rafah amid Hamas war | 11 Feb 2024 | Joe Biden yesterday called on Israel to “not proceed” with military action in southern Gaza without planning for the evacuation of Palestinian civilians. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing growing international warnings over his army’s planned offensive in Rafah amid its war with Hamas. According to the White House, Mr Biden told Mr Netanyahu last night that the Israel Defence Forces “should not proceed without a credible and executable plan for ensuring the safety of and support for the more than one million people sheltering there.” But Mr Netanyahu has rejected concerns about civilian casualties in Rafah, declaring: “Victory is in reach.” He insisted that there would be no turning back despite the clamour over the huge death toll and the loss of two more hostages.