Categories: Politics

Harris suggests ‘consequences’ are on the table for Israel if Netanyahu invades Rafah

Vice President Kamala Harris declined to rule out “consequences” for Israel if it moves forward with an invasion of Rafah in Gaza on Sunday.

Harris made the statement in an interview with ABC News, saying such a move by Netanyahu’s government would be a “huge mistake.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said an invasion is imminent, arguing it is necessary to fully root out Hamas.

“Netanyahu appears to be just flat out ignoring President Biden’s warning about an offensive in Rafah. Is that a red line for your administration?” ABC’s Rachel Scott asked.

“We have been clear in multiple conversations and in every way that any major military operation in Rafah would be a huge mistake,” Harris told the outlet when asked about potential consequences. “Let me tell you something: I have studied the maps. There’s nowhere for those folks to go.”

NETANYAHU VOWS TO INVADE RAFAH REGARDLESS OF POTENTIAL CEASE-FIRE WITH HAMAS: ‘IT WILL HAPPEN’

Vice President Kamala Harris declined to rule out “consequences” for Israel if it moves forward with an invasion of Rafah in Gaza on Sunday. (Leigh Vogel/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“A mistake, but would there be consequences if [Netanyahu] does move forward?” Scott pressed.

“We’re going to take it one step at a time, but we’ve been very clear in terms of our perspective on whether or not [an invasion] should happen,” Harris responded.

“Are you ruling out that there would be consequences from the United States?” Scott pressed again.

“I am ruling out nothing,” Harris said.

The exchange comes days after Netanyahu vowed Israel would move forward with an invasion with or without U.S. support on Friday.

Netanyahu nevertheless agreed to send a high-level delegation to meet with White House officials this week to determine whether a compromise can be made.

ISRAELI STRIKES IN RAFAH LEAVES 31 PALESTINIANS DEAD AHEAD OF PLANNED GROUND INVASION

A satellite image shows tent shelters for displaced people in Rafah in the Gaza Strip on Feb. 7. President Biden’s administration is urging Israel not to move forward with an invasion of the area. (Reuters/Maxar Technologies)

Israel says Rafah is the last remaining stronghold of Hamas and the terrorist group’s forces there must be defeated for Israel to meet its war objectives. Israel vowed to destroy Hamas following the group’s Oct. 7 attack, which killed some 1,200 people, took 250 others hostage and triggered the fierce Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza.

Rafah now serves as shelter to roughly 1 million Palestinians displaced by the Gaza war, however. The Biden administration has insisted that any plan for an invasion must include clear and robust protections for civilians, and they have yet to be satisfied with Israel’s precautions.

SENATE PASSES MAMMOTH $1.2T SPENDING PACKAGE AFTER BRIEF PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

There is a growing divide between President Biden’s administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. (AP Photo)

Netanyahu said he told Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Israel is working on ways to evacuate civilians from combat zones and to address the humanitarian needs of Gaza. Nevertheless, he said an invasion of Rafah is imminent.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“I also said that we have no way to defeat Hamas without entering Rafah,” Netanyahu said. “I told him that I hoped we would do this with U.S. support, but, if necessary, we will do it alone.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Share

Recent Posts

5 mistakes that doomed Kamala Harris’ campaign against Trump

Vice President Harris suffered a massive loss to President-elect Donald Trump this week, losing her…

16 mins ago

Shutdown standoff looms in Congress’ final weeks before Trump’s return to White House

EXCLUSIVE: The tumultuous two years of the 118th Congress are likely to be capped by…

16 mins ago

Tim Scott launches bid to chair NRSC as GOP seeks to capitalize on new minority gains

FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., is running to lead the Senate Republican campaign…

16 mins ago

Why the media waited till now to admit Harris ran a lousy campaign

Something suddenly struck me as I tracked all the finger-pointing and blame-shifting over Kamala Harris…

16 mins ago

5 found dead in Minnesota apparent murder-suicide: police

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for November 7 Fox News Flash top headlines…

2 hours ago

WATCH: Elderly woman in Washington state attacks, punches 2 Trump supporters

close Video Washington state woman arrested after allegedly punching Trump supporters An 82-year-old woman was…

2 hours ago