The Biden administration is expressing concern over the Israeli military’s operations in Rafah, although no large-scale invasion has been observed yet, according to National Security Council coordinator John Kirby. The Israeli military claims they are conducting a precise counterterrorism operation in eastern Rafah, with United Nations agencies reporting that around 110,000 people have evacuated the city on the advice of the Israel authorities.
President Biden has warned Israel of potential consequences, including limiting or stopping U.S. offensive military aid, if they proceed with full-scale operations in Rafah. Several countries, including the U.S., have cautioned against potential civilian casualties in Rafah due to the significant number of people seeking shelter in the city along the Gaza-Egypt border.
Israeli forces have taken control of the Rafah Crossing from the Gaza side, prompting monitoring and concern from the U.S. Kirby emphasized that the recent actions in Rafah do not indicate a broad invasion or major ground operation, but rather appear to be localized near the crossing.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated in an interview that four Hamas battalions remaining in Rafah necessitate a full-scale invasion to ensure their defeat. The extent of Israel’s operations in Rafah is still unfolding, with Israel’s security cabinet approving the expansion of the IDF’s area of operation in Rafah.
Rafah is a crucial location for humanitarian aid access to Gaza, with the closure of the crossing impacting the flow of fuel, supplies, and movement of humanitarian personnel. The U.S. had hoped to broker a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas before any operation in Rafah, but negotiations fell through. The U.S. continues to believe that a deal is possible, urging leadership, courage, compromise, and negotiation in good faith.
CIA Director Bill Burns led U.S. mediators in talks, but returned from the Middle East without reaching a resolution.
