Wall Street Journal: The United States seeks to formulate the Rafah operation not prevent it
The Wall Street Journal reported that during two days of meetings between the Israeli Defense Minister and senior officials in the White House and the Pentagon, discussions about the planned Israeli military operation in southern Gaza did not focus on how to stop it, but rather on how to protect civilians while it begins the operation”.
The Wall Street Journal reported, in an article, under the title “Behind closed doors, the United States seeks to formulate the Rafah process, not stop it,” about a change in the practical tone of the talks from previous weeks, when senior US officials frankly warned Israel against launching a comprehensive attack on Rafah, while the Israeli Prime Minister defiantly pledged to press forward”.
In detail, the Wall Street Journal indicates that after the cessation of negotiations in Doha regarding a temporary ceasefire at the end of last week, Israeli officials informed the mediators that Israel may launch an operation in Rafah, as soon as the holy month of Ramadan ends, approximately in mid-April; If efforts to reach an agreement fail.
The Wall Street Journal notes that the two sides, the US and Israeli, also discussed ways to confront weapons smuggling across the border between Egypt and Gaza, which Israel considered a source of concern.
Also, looking into the precise targeting of Hamas leaders, at a time when US officials continue to urge not to bomb densely populated areas.
While US officials told the Wall Street Journal, “Although there is some overlap between the thinking of the United States and Israel, the plans still have a long way to go before they are formalized, and any convincing plan to transfer civilians in Rafah may take months”.
The Wall Street Journal quoted the US defense official as saying, “Our goal is to help Israel find an alternative to a large-scale and perhaps premature military operation”.
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, confirmed during his recent participation in the cabinet session that the Israeli army’s entry into Rafah won’t eliminate the Hamas movement”.
On Saturday, Israeli Channel 13 published leaks from the War cabinet meeting, in which Blinken said that “even if the Israeli army carries out an operation in Rafah, there will still be a major challenge in Gaza called Hamas,” adding that “chaos will redevelop it, and therefore a government must be formed… An alternative that will build a new future for Gaza”.
