Amid escalating international warnings, particularly from the United States, regarding Israel's potential invasion of Rafah city in southern Gaza, discussions have emerged in recent hours about an alternative plan that will be proposed by Washington. A senior American official revealed that the U.S. intends to suggest during an upcoming U.S.-Israeli meeting this week that Israel enhance security along the border between Egypt and Gaza as an alternative to the invasion.
The official clarified that "reaching a new arrangement with Cairo and constructing the necessary infrastructure to cut off smuggling routes between the Gaza Strip and Egyptian territory would be more significant and effective in dismantling Hamas than launching a large ground assault in a city crowded with displaced persons." He added, "If Israel invades Rafah, with all the ensuing civilian casualties, cooperating with Egypt regarding the Philadelphi Corridor will be much more challenging."
Additionally, the official indicated that the alternative plans the United States aims to discuss with the Israeli delegation visiting Washington would also include intensifying efforts to initiate the reconstruction of Gaza, as well as creating a practical alternative to Hamas, as reported by the "Times of Israel." There will also be alternative ideas regarding the pursuit of Hamas leaders without launching a large ground operation in Rafah, as clarified by two senior American officials.
However, one of the officials noted that this does not mean Washington will inform Israel that it cannot invade Rafah; rather, it will express readiness to collaborate with the Israeli side to present viable alternatives that achieve the same objectives. The official explained that the U.S. opposition to a large ground invasion in Rafah does not imply that it opposes further assassinations or targeting of Hamas leaders in Rafah or elsewhere, emphasizing that the alternative plans the Biden administration intends to present to the Israeli delegation will also focus on that goal.
The officials pointed out that the Biden administration does not overlook the existence of four Hamas battalions in the city, but they considered that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has exaggerated the significance of eliminating them for defeating Hamas. The United States believes that Israel should also utilize the upcoming period to increase humanitarian aid deliveries to the besieged Palestinian territory.
This information comes just hours after Netanyahu reaffirmed yesterday that his country is "determined to act militarily in Rafah while finding humanitarian solutions for civilians." Over a million Palestinian displaced persons are crowding in this border city with Egypt, facing dire humanitarian conditions amid shortages of food and medical aid, prompting the United Nations and several relief organizations to warn against an invasion.
