In a recent discussion held in Cairo, aimed at brokering a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced his concerns over a potential Israeli military incursion into Rafah, located in southern Gaza. Blinken emphasized, “Launching a major military operation in Rafah would be an error and is something we do not endorse. Furthermore, such an action is unnecessary for addressing the issues with Hamas.”
During his sixth visit to the Middle East since the onset of the Gaza conflict, Blinken revealed plans to elaborate on the United States’ position regarding a possible incursion into Rafah to Israeli officials. This dialogue is set to occur next week, following an invitation from President Biden to Israeli representatives to come to Washington to explore alternative strategies.
Blinken is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wartime cabinet this Friday. This meeting comes in the wake of Netanyahu’s assertion that an invasion of Rafah might be inevitable if Israel is to successfully dismantle Hamas, despite warnings from the U.S. about the potential consequences of such an action.
Rafah is currently home to millions of Palestinians who have sought refuge there from other parts of the territory since the war’s outbreak. It is also suspected to be a stronghold for Hamas operatives.
A recent conversation between Netanyahu and President Biden marked their first discussion since Biden critiqued the Prime Minister’s approach as being more harmful than beneficial to Israel. In this conversation, Biden reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to Israel but also highlighted the importance of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In his State of the Union address, Biden committed to increasing aid to the Palestinians in Gaza amidst warnings of a possible famine from aid organizations. According to reports from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, the conflict, which began on October 7, has resulted in over 31,000 Palestinian fatalities.
Blinken underscored the United States’ unified stance on the necessity of an “immediate, sustained cease-fire and the release of hostages.” This approach aims to pave the way for an influx of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of many and lay the groundwork for a more lasting solution.
Despite this, the U.S. recently vetoed a United Nations resolution calling for a cease-fire. A subsequent resolution, modified to gain U.S. support, was vetoed by China and Russia.
Efforts continue as the U.S. engages in talks aimed at securing the release of over 100 hostages held by Hamas following its attack on October 7. Blinken mentioned ongoing negotiations with Egypt, Qatar, and Israel, putting forth a “strong proposal” that has seen a response from Hamas. “The gaps are narrowing, and we’re pushing hard for an agreement in Doha,” Blinken stated, acknowledging the challenges but remaining optimistic about reaching a resolution.