On NPR’s “Morning Edition” broadcast Wednesday, Biden campaign co-chairman Sen. Chris Coons (D-Delaware) said Israel could storm into Rafah and “conduct the operation in an unconventional manner.” “It’s almost impossible,” he said. It is unreasonably dangerous and unsafe, and will result in thousands of additional civilian casualties. ” And there is no way the surgery “can be performed safely within the next few weeks.”
“Israel has a right, even an obligation, to protect civilians from Hamas and to continue to pursue Hamas terrorists,” Coons said. However, the government must balance this with its obligation to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza. Therefore, a delegation from Israel is currently meeting with our military leadership to discuss how to carry out a ground invasion of Rafah, where four battalions of Hamas fighters are still located, and to allow civilians to escape. I’m on my way to Washington to do this. It would attack Rafah and conduct the operation in an unreasonably dangerous and unsafe manner, resulting in thousands of additional civilian casualties. Frankly, it’s very difficult to do, almost impossible. ”
Co-host Steve Inskeep said, “That was my question. It’s almost impossible. It’s almost impossible for the Israelis to give you any kind of plan or for the president to protect civilians and invade this city.” You seem skeptical that you can give me a plan.” ”
“They will have to provide space elsewhere in Gaza, where shelters for close to a million Palestinians are set up,” Coons said. This is not a surgery that can be performed.”
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