As per Politico, senior US officials have conveyed to their Israeli counterparts that the Biden administration would extend ‘conditional’ support to the Rafah attack.
The condition put forth by Washington is that Israel should carry out a targeted ‘counter-terrorism’ operation, aimed at Hamas targets both above and below ground, instead of a full-fledged war.
According to Politico, US officials are aware of Israel’s desire to eliminate four Hamas battalions in Rafah, located on the Egyptian border. It has been noted that President Joe Biden has set a ‘red line’ over the weekend, stating that Israel should not proceed with any operation without ‘credible civilian protection plans’.
As of now, the Israeli army has not yet developed such a plan. According to two Israeli officials, the army is currently exploring options to guarantee the safety of the 1.3 million Palestinians residing in and around the city, many of whom left to avoid the conflict.
Meanwhile, four US officials have indicated in private conversations with Israeli authorities that they may be more inclined to support a plan that focuses on counter-terrorism operations rather than a full-scale war.
According to officials, the aim of this action is to minimize civilian casualties, weaken Hamas, and avoid any incidents that could negatively impact public opinion of Israel’s actions and President Biden’s handling of the situation.
A third Israeli official, who requested anonymity, stated that it is inevitable that Israeli forces will eventually launch an operation. He emphasized the importance of defeating the Hamas battalions in Rafah in order to win the war.
According to military intelligence provided to senior officials in the White House and the administration, some key members of Biden’s team suspect that Israel may be planning a significant military operation in Gaza in the near future.
A Defence Ministry official told Politico that Israel has yet to reposition their forces, indicating that such an operation is not imminent.
The official also suggested that Israel is taking heed of US warnings, as evidenced by their lack of action. According to the Pentagon official, Israel will make its own decisions, and predicting their actions is akin to predicting the weather. However, the official confirmed that the message was received.
All officials emphasized that Israel’s plans could change at any time. They hinted that Tel Aviv might not eventually organize a larger operation, ‘perhaps due to changes in the political environment in the country’.
The US administration has also argued in recent days that Biden’s ‘red line’ statement was not ‘definitive’. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters from the White House podium on Tuesday, ‘The President has made no statement or announcement.’ Sullivan expressed his concerns to reporters on Tuesday regarding the potential military operation in Rafah. He emphasized the importance of protecting civilians, ensuring access to humanitarian aid, and avoiding any negative impact on the Israeli-Egyptian border.
