What's happened
US Vice President Kamala Harris warns Israel against a ground assault on Rafah in Gaza, where over a million Palestinians are sheltering. Israeli airstrikes kill more than a dozen people in Rafah, raising fears of an imminent ground assault.
Why it matters
The US warning against a potential ground assault in Rafah highlights the escalating tensions in Gaza and the risks faced by civilians. The situation could have far-reaching consequences for the region and strain US-Israel relations.
What the papers say
Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the dangers of a ground assault in Rafah, warning of the lack of safe places for civilians to go. The New York Times highlighted Harris' careful wording and the potential consequences for Israel if they proceed with the assault.
How we got here
The conflict in Gaza has been ongoing, with Israeli airstrikes targeting Rafah and fears of a ground assault mounting. The US has expressed concern for the safety of civilians in the area, urging Israel to reconsider military action.
Common question
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Why is the US warning Israel against a ground assault on Gaza City?
The US Vice President Kamala Harris has issued a warning to Israel regarding a potential ground assault on Gaza City, specifically the city of Rafah. This warning comes amidst the dire situation of over 1 million Palestinian civilians sheltering in Rafah, highlighting the urgency and sensitivity of the matter. The US stance on this issue could have significant implications for the ongoing conflict and relations between the two nations.
More on these topics
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Rafah is a Palestinian city in the southern Gaza Strip. It is the district capital of the Rafah Governorate, located 30 kilometers south of Gaza City. Rafah's population of 152,950 is overwhelmingly made up of former Palestinian refugees.
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Kamala Devi Harris is an American attorney and politician who has served as the junior United States Senator from California since 2017.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.