News Wrap: Biden urges against major Israeli assault on Rafah

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• Geoff Bennett:

  In the day's other headlines: President Biden again urged a cease-fire in Gaza. And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again pushed back. The two men had their latest phone conversation overnight.

  Afterward on social media, Netanyahu dismissed U.S. pressure for a Palestinian state, saying — quote — "Israel outright rejects international dictates regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians."

  Later, President Biden focused on halting the fighting and heading off an Israeli assault on the city of Rafah.

  Joe Biden , President of the United States: There has to be a temporary cease-fire to get the prisoners out. I'm still hopeful that that can be done. And, in the meantime, I don't anticipate, I'm hoping that the Israelis will not make any massive land invasion.

• Geoff Bennett:

  Meantime, the U.N.'s International Court of Justice rejected South Africa's call for urgent action to safeguard Rafah, and evidence emerged that Egypt is building a wall in buffer zone along the border with Rafah.

  It's feared that an Israeli attack there would drive more than a million refugees into Egypt. Satellite images taken Thursday showed plots of land being leveled on the Egyptian side and up close the makings of a concrete wall. Earlier this week, cranes were seen working in the area.

  Spillover tensions from the war in Gaza roiled the Red Sea again today. Missile fire, apparently from Houthi fighters in Yemen, targeted an oil tanker ship along the Yemeni coast. The vessel suffered minor damage. The Houthis have links to Iran and have demanded that Israel end its war on Gaza.

  Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has inked security deals with two European allies, as U.S. aid remains stuck in Congress. In Paris today, Zelenskyy signed a long-term military package with French President Emmanuel Macron. Earlier, in Berlin, he reached an agreement with the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz.

  He also expressed hope that American help will still come through.

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President (through interpreter):

  I expect that the United States will not drop out. There are some hotheads in the U.S. involved in the political process. Despite the complexities in the House of Representatives, I expect that, in all of this, a pragmatic American approach will be found, that we are protecting the security of the world.

• Geoff Bennett:

  In Ukraine, Russian forces slowly advanced in the eastern city of Avdiivka. Ukrainian troops there have run short of ammunition and U.S. officials blame the stalemate in Congress.

  Here at home, two juveniles have been charged in the shootings at Kansas City's Super Bowl parade. An official statement today said they were accused of gun violations and resisting arrest and that more charges are expected. The shooting erupted Wednesday outside Kansas City's Union Station as the parade was winding down. One person was killed and 22 others were injured.

  West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin has announced he will not run for president after all. The centrist Democrat had considered a third-party bid, but he said today he does not see a path to victory and does not want to be a spoiler. Manchin already announced he will not seek reelection to the U.S. Senate.

  In economic news, wholesale prices rose in January after falling in December. It was another sign that inflationary pressures have not yet run their course, and it disappointed Wall Street. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 145 points to close at 38628. The Nasdaq fell 130 points. The S&P 500 was down 24.

  Still to come on the "NewsHour": President Biden visits Ohio one year into the long recovery from a toxic train derailment; David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart weigh in on the week's political headlines; and the Iowa phenom who broke the NCAA women's basketball record for career points.