Israel intends to broaden Rafah sweep, Defence Minister Gallant tells Washington

[sl8]

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-intends-broaden-rafah-sweep-gallant-tells-biden-adviser-sullivan-2024-05-20/

Israel intends to broaden Rafah sweep, Defence Minister Gallant tells Washington

By Reuters
May 20, 2024 5:47 AM EDT Updated 2 hours ago

JERUSALEM, May 20 (Reuters) - Israel intends to broaden its military operation in Rafah, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday told a senior aide to U.S. President Joe Biden, who has warned against major action in the southern Gazan city that may risk mass civilian casualties.

Israel describes Rafah, which abuts the Gaza Strip's border with the Egyptian Sinai, as the last stronghold of Hamas Islamists whose governing and combat capabilities it has been trying to dismantle during the more than seven-month-old war.

After weeks of public disagreements with Washington over the Rafah planning, Israel on May 6 ordered Palestinian civilians to evacuate parts of the city and began troop and tank incursions.

"We are committed to broadening the ground operation in Rafah to the end of dismantling Hamas and recovering the hostages," a statement from Gallant's office quoted him as telling visiting U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

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[AloeVera]

1. Whatever happened to the "red-line"?

Still going to hold or is it subject to incremental creep? Perhaps eventually moved to the sands of Al- Mawasi on the Mediterranean? Eagerly awaiting the U.S. response to the stepped-up military attacks on Rafah.

What about the "humanitarian plans" demanded by the U.S. for civilian safety and adequate basic infrastructure like water, shelter, supplies. Haven't seen that. How are these 800,000 people who have fled so far going to live? And the other 800,000 still in Rafah?

Now watch out for appeals by the right-wing extremists to Arab countries to take in the refugees in the name of "humanitarianism". SMH