President Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu are in a dispute over invading Rafah and the larger disagreement about what Israel can hope to accomplish against Hamas. Israel’s view is that the destruction of Hamas is a vital goal and that their military has already made progress in dismantling Hamas battalions. Netanyahu and his aides believe that allowing a cornered enemy to escape violates military strategy and that a successful operation in Rafah would change the strategic equation. Many Arab leaders also despise Hamas and would be happy for Israel to crush the group.
To President Biden, the destruction of Hamas is not a realistic goal. U.S. intelligence officials believe that Hamas fighters are in deep, fortified tunnels that could take months or years to eliminate. The costs of trying to wipe out Hamas are seen as large, with the potential for hostages to die and a horrific humanitarian toll in Rafah. Egypt, which has long blocked Gazans from entering, is concerned about a battle for Rafah leading to an unstoppable flow of refugees. American officials doubt the wisdom of a full-scale invasion but see value in eliminating Hamas leaders who planned attacks.
A third option proposed by the Biden administration involves ending major military operations and releasing Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Hamas returning hostages in phases. Israel could then pursue a diplomatic deal with Saudi Arabia to run Gaza, sidelining Hamas. Israel would retain the right to conduct targeted operations against top Hamas officials. Cease-fire negotiations hit a snag with anger over Israel’s incursion in Rafah, leading to dead-cat diplomacy between Israel and Hamas. The World Health Organization warned about fuel shortages in southern Gaza hospitals, and Donald Trump accused Biden of abandoning Israel.
In other news, the Mormon Church has made changes for its young missionaries, an obscure tax change transformed retirement with the 401(k), Dallas is the most dog-friendly U.S. city for renting a home, and cicada courtship has three phases. Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, a pioneer in the 1960s design movement known as supergraphics, has passed away. Sports-wise, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks won their playoff games, while the New York Rangers and Dallas Stars also had victories in the N.H.L. The Westminster Kennel Club’s agility competition allows any dog, like Miles, a rescue mutt, to compete, showing that a “well-bred dog” is not necessary for a best friend to participate in dog sports.
