White House believes Netanyahu deliberately ‘provoking’ US – Axios — RT World News

It was the White House “puzzled” Due to what many US officials described as an overreaction by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington's decision not to veto a UN Security Council resolution on Gaza, according to a report by Axios.

The United Nations Security Council approved Accuracy On Monday, they demanded “direct” The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the unconditional release of the remaining Israeli hostages, while highlighting “The urgent need to expand the flow” Aid to Gaza.

The United States abstained from casting its vote, prompting Netanyahu's office to accuse it of… “A clear retreat from the firm position of the United States” Since the beginning of the war – and the cancellation of a high-level mission to Washington before the planned Israeli military operation in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

“All of this is self-defeating. The Prime Minister could have chosen a different path – to align with the United States on the meaning of this decision. He chose not to do so, apparently for political reasons.” The outlet quoted a US official as saying.

“If Prime Minister Netanyahu felt so strongly, why didn’t he call President Biden?” another official asked.

White House spokesman John Kirby called for canceling the Israeli delegation's visit “disappointing” He said that Washington was “Puzzled by this” Because the United States abstained from voting “It does not represent a shift in our policy.” Meanwhile, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that the United States did not use its veto power because calling for a ceasefire and the release of the hostages is consistent with Washington's policy, describing the decision as “Not binding.”

Netanyahu allegedly used the vote at the United Nations as an excuse not to send a delegation to Washington because “He was afraid we might offer something reasonable.” Another unnamed official claimed, according to Axios. He added: “He prefers to fight with us even if it is not in Israel's interest… It is also a funny way to deal with a partner who has provided Israel with a lot of support.”

Israel declared war on Hamas on October 7, after the militants carried out a cross-border raid, killing more than 1,100 people and taking at least 250 hostage. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli bombing and ground operations in Gaza since then, according to the health service in the Strip.

Israel is planning to launch a ground attack on Rafah, despite international warnings of a potential disaster. More than half of Gaza's population has fled to take shelter in the city due to ongoing Israeli bombing of other parts of the Strip.