Israel has briefed Biden administration officials on a plan to evacuate Palestinian civilians ahead of a potential military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah aimed at targeting Hamas militants. However, the U.S. administration remains concerned that the operation would put innocent Palestinian civilians at risk and worsen the humanitarian crisis in the area. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to carry out the military operation in Rafah despite warnings from President Joe Biden and other western officials about the potential consequences.
The Biden administration has stated that there could be repercussions for Israel if they move forward with the operation without a credible plan to protect civilians. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that without such a plan, they could not support a major military operation in Rafah due to the unacceptable damage it could cause. The United Nations has warned that hundreds of thousands of people in Rafah would be at imminent risk of death if Israel proceeds with the assault, as the city is a critical entry point for humanitarian aid and is home to many displaced Palestinians.
The evacuation plan briefed by the Israelis has not been finalized, and discussions between both sides are ongoing. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that no comprehensive plan for a potential Rafah operation has been revealed to the White House. Despite this, the operation has been a topic of recent discussions between Biden, Netanyahu, and other top officials. The focus remains on protecting innocent Palestinian lives and ensuring that negotiations continue towards a peaceful resolution.
CIA director William Burns arrived in Egypt to assist in negotiating a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas. U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators have proposed a deal that includes a cease-fire and an exchange of hostages taken by both sides. Hamas is considering the offer and has pledged to send a delegation to Cairo for further discussions. Israel continues to prepare for a potential operation in Rafah, possibly as a tactic to pressure Hamas into finalizing the proposed deal.
Israel has indicated that they will enter Rafah, Hamas’ last stronghold, with or without a truce-for-hostages deal. Netanyahu’s statements may be an attempt to appease nationalist partners in the Israeli government, and it remains uncertain how his comments will impact ongoing negotiations with Hamas. Blinken has described the proposed deal as generous and urged both parties to act swiftly to achieve a cease-fire. He reiterated that Hamas is the primary obstacle to reaching a peaceful resolution in Gaza, indicating that significant progress hinges on their cooperation. The situation in Rafah and the ongoing negotiations continue to be closely monitored by international actors.
