According to the White House, Israel intends to dispatch a delegation of officials to the United States to deliberate on its proposed offensive in Rafah. This comes as the Biden administration underlines that the proposed attack would be detrimental and aims to persuade Israel to permit further assistance in response to a potential famine in Gaza.
Jake Sullivan, the United States national security advisor, confirmed the upcoming Israeli visit following a telephonic conversation between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, which concentrated on the proposed attack on Rafah that Netanyahu has pledged to instigate.
Sullivan authenticated that the deputy chief of Hamas’s military wing in Gaza, Marwan Issa, was killed by Israeli forces in a recent operation. He emphasised, however, that a military strategy requires a comprehensive humanitarian and political scheme to be effective. Sullivan emphasised Israel’s primary duty was to facilitate increased delivery of food to starving populations in northern Gaza, in light of alerts from UN bodies of an approaching famine in the area.
Sullivan reiterated US disapproval of the proposed attack on Rafah, highlighting the fact that over a million Palestinians seeking refuge in the southernmost Gazan town after fleeing other cities devastated by Israeli airstrikes. He noted that Israel had yet to provide a plan indicating how they would cater to the displaced civilians.
He also drew attention to Rafah as a vital entry point for the limited aid reaching Gaza and that the proposed offensive could compromise Israel’s relationship with Egypt.
Sullivan described the recent discussion between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu as professional while noting the President’s dismissal of emanant arguments raised by the Israeli leader.
Mr Sullivan acknowledged Israel’s military advancements against Hamas, but he expressed a strong sentiment that a large-scale ground attack in Rafah would be ill-advised. He emphasised that this could contribute to increased innocent civilian fatalities, exacerbate the dire humanitarian crisis, deepen the chaos in Gaza, and compromise Israel’s global standing further.
During the call, Mr Biden requested that Mr Netanyahu dispatch a delegation comprising of military, intelligence, and humanitarian officials to engage in deliberations about Gaza and explore possible alternatives to an assault on Rafah.
Mr Sullivan ventured, “It is high time to roll up our sleeves and initiate a mature dialogue, involving a delegation from both factions. An integrated, inclusive discussion where everyone has a place at the table to discuss the future.” He added, “Summon your team to Washington and we can discuss this in detail. We can present to you what we believe is the more advantageous approach.”
He mentioned that Mr Netanyahu has agreed to the proposed rendezvous which is likely to occur by the end of this week or the start of the coming one.
“We fully anticipate that they will refrain from initiating a large-scale military manoeuvre in Rafah until this proposed dialogue has taken place,” added Mr Sullivan.
– Guardian