Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to send two top Israeli officials to Washington as early as next week for talks about a possible military operation in Rafah, four U.S. and Israeli officials told Axios.
It's a sharp reversal by Netanyahu who on Monday canceled the same trip by the same people in protest over the U.S. not vetoing a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The fallout over the canceled trip and a deadlock in hostage talks added to already spiraling relations between Netanyahu and the Biden administration.
"The Prime Minister's office has agreed to reschedule the meeting dedicated to Rafah," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday, adding that the discussions about Rafah are "urgent."
"We are now working on a convenient date that will work for both sides," she said.
A U.S. official told Axios cancelling the trip and the rhetoric around it was "an unnecessary drama on Netanyahu's part."
A senior Israeli official agreed and said: "Bibi made a mistake."
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
How important is it for a country's leadership to maintain strong relations with its allies, even amidst disagreements?
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
Join in on more popular conversations.
