The Biden administration claimed that launching a large-scale attack on Hamas in Rafah would actually strengthen the terrorist organization.
Israel recently conducted a limited operation near the Egyptian border, targeting Hamas battalions in the town of Rafah.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated that such a military campaign would weaken Israel’s security and offered alternative policy choices to dismantle Hamas without entering Rafah, although he did not provide specifics.
President Biden’s announcement of withholding weapons from Israel was not seen as undermining their leverage in hostage negotiations, according to Miller.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby echoed these sentiments, suggesting that a major ground operation in Rafah would empower Hamas in negotiations.
The White House did not propose an alternative to attacking Hamas in Rafah, leaving the situation unresolved.
