US Takes Hands-on Approach to Mold Israel’s Rafah Operation

Tel Aviv has reportedly rescheduled meetings with US officials on talks for how operations in Rafah should commence

Israel and the US will reschedule a high-level visit aimed at discussing plans for upcoming operations in Gaza's desperately overcrowded, southernmost city of Rafah – which Washington seeks to mold to its liking.

The rescheduling comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled the initial trip in response to the US's failure to veto the latest UN resolution for a ceasefire in the strip.

An Israeli official cited by Reuters on 28 March said a new meeting was being organized and that Netanyahu may send a delegation by next week. The delegation will be led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, who are both close to the prime minister, according to a person familiar with the matter.

NBC reported a day earlier, citing a US official, that Israel has asked the White House to reschedule the meeting.

"The prime minister's office has agreed to reschedule the meeting dedicated [to Rafah] … So, we're now working with them to set a convenient date," said White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre on 27 March.

According to Hebrew news outlet Channel 13, Washington plans to send US generals to help draw up the plans for Rafah. The generals are expected to arrive in Israel soon, the outlet added, noting that this was what happened when Israel began its ground assault on Gaza in late October.

The White House has been warning that a full-scale invasion of Rafah would isolate Israel further in the international community. Washington is instead pushing for more limited and smaller-scale operations in the city, which State Department spokesman Mathew Miller said on Wednesday would be successful in taking out Hamas commanders.

🔗Source: The Cradle

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