Israel must be able to defend itself from terrorist attacks from Gaza or elsewhere, and the US is committed to preventing malicious actors from threatening Israel's legitimate concerns. However, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has gotten out of hand, and the Biden admin. will not support any further offensive action in Rafah. Netanyahu must keep his promises and work with US allies to find a resolution to this conflict.
Israel has reached a decisive point in this conflict. If the country gives in to international pressure, it will make clear to Israel's enemies that it is weak and cannot stand up for itself. Such a suggestion will only encourage another attack like Oct. 7., which would be simply unacceptable. Israel must continue to push into Rafah and win this war.
The famine in Gaza is only getting worse, yet the US and international community more broadly continue to sit on their hands. Israeli civilians are blocking trucks of food destined for Gaza, and the best the US can do is say how outraged it is. Though the individuals attacking these convoys are extremists, they are emblematic of a far larger problem that treats Palestinian life as a nonissue.