In recent weeks, the United States has consistently asserted its opposition to any invasion or assault on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, due to the risks it poses to the lives of thousands of displaced Palestinians crowded there. However, senior U.S. officials have informed their Israeli counterparts that the Biden administration may support a limited operation and would back Israel in pursuing senior Hamas leaders hiding in Rafah or within its underground tunnels.
Four American officials clarified that senior administration officials indicated in private discussions with Israel that they might endorse a specific plan in Rafah that resembles counter-terrorism operations rather than a full-scale war, according to Politico. They believe that such operations would minimize civilian casualties while simultaneously eliminating significant Hamas targets, thus reducing the bloody scenes that have heightened public criticism of Israeli attacks on the besieged Palestinian territory and Biden’s handling of them.
In this context, two Israeli officials explained that the military is still considering proposals and plans to ensure the safety of 1.3 million Palestinians in the city and its surroundings, as many have fled there to escape the war. Despite this, a third Israeli official, who requested anonymity, emphasized that ultimately, Israeli forces would conduct some form of operation in Rafah. He stated, "In the end, we cannot win this war without defeating Hamas brigades in Rafah."
These revelations came after sources indicated that Biden might consider imposing conditions on some future military aid to Israel if it launches a major campaign in Rafah, although National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan later clarified that such reports and similar claims were merely "unsubstantiated speculation."
It is worth noting that the Biden administration, seeking a second term in the White House, has faced backlash among younger members of the Democratic Party due to its unconditional support for Israel, as reflected in approval ratings in recent polls. The administration finds itself between two difficult choices: the type of Israeli military operation it might accept in Rafah and the “red line” Biden referred to over the past weekend.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues his campaign to persuade Americans of his positions. In a video address to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel group in Washington, he strongly defended Tel Aviv’s stance, asserting that it has done everything possible to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza. He also remarked that allies and friends cannot claim to support Israel's goal of destroying Hamas while opposing its measures to achieve that goal, implicitly referring to an invasion of Rafah.
