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 rooting out Hamas militants. However, the U.S. officials familiar with the talks have stated that the plan would put too many innocent Palestinian civilians at risk and the Biden administration cannot support such a major military operation without a credible plan to safeguard civilians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to carry out the operation in Rafah despite warnings from President Joe Biden and other western officials of the consequences it could have on civilian deaths and worsening the humanitarian crisis.
The war between Israel and Hamas militants began on October 7, resulting in 1,200 deaths and about 250 hostages being taken. The southern Gaza city of Rafah has been a critical entry point for humanitarian aid and has attracted 1.5 million Palestinians who are now at imminent risk of death according to the United Nations humanitarian aid agency. The border city is filled with displaced Palestinians living in densely packed tent camps. The evacuation plan discussed by Israel and the U.S. officials has not been finalized, and both sides have agreed to continue discussions on the matter to ensure the protection of Palestinian lives.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that no comprehensive plan for a potential Rafah operation has been revealed to the White House, but the operation has been discussed during recent calls between Biden and Netanyahu, as well as virtual talks with top Israeli and U.S. national security officials. Despite efforts to negotiate a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, Israel has signaled its intention to move forward with the Rafah operation, possibly as a tactic to pressure Hamas to accept the terms of a deal that would lead to an extended cease-fire and an exchange of hostages taken captive on October 7.
CIA director William Burns arrived in Egypt, where negotiators are working to seal a cease-fire accord between Israel and Hamas. U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators have proposed a deal that would lead to a cease-fire and an exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Hamas is considering the latest proposal and plans to send a delegation to Cairo for further discussions. Meanwhile, Israeli forces are preparing to enter Rafah, which Israel considers to be Hamas’ last stronghold, regardless of the potential truce-for-hostages deal. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments about entering Rafah were seen as a way to appease his nationalist governing partners, and it remains unclear how they will impact negotiations with Hamas.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the region, including Israel, and called the latest proposal for a cease-fire “extraordinarily generous”, emphasizing that the only thing preventing a cease-fire is Hamas. The Biden administration has made it clear that moving forward with a major military operation in Rafah without a plan to protect innocent civilians is unacceptable. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with hundreds of thousands of people at imminent risk of death if the Rafah assault goes ahead. The continuing negotiations, pressure on Hamas, and Israeli preparations for the Rafah operation are unfolding against a backdrop of escalating tensions and humanitarian concerns in the region.
