2024-04-20 17:14:26
Today, April 18, senior US and Israeli officials will hold another online meeting to discuss a possible military operation in Rafah.
An American official reported this to The Times of Israel.
The American delegation at today’s meeting included National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, while the Israeli side was represented by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Council Chairman Tzachi Hanegbi.
The first virtual meeting took place last month after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heeded US President Joe Biden’s request for such a forum.
Washington hopes the meetings will help persuade Israel to abandon its large-scale operation in the southernmost city of Gaza in favor of alternative approaches. Israel expressed its intention to launch an offensive only after carefully evacuating more than a million Palestinian Arabs in Rafah, providing for their humanitarian needs and coordinating action with Egypt.
The American side largely doubts that Israel will be able to carry out such a large-scale evacuation while ensuring the safety of the residents of Rafah.
Instead, they are calling on Israel for more targeted operations against Hamas leaders in the area, working with Egypt to secure the border and create an underground wall to prevent arms smuggling and suppress terrorist elements.
Earlier, Kursor reported that the United States agreed to Israel’s operation in Rafah, but on one condition.