This week, Israel informed officials from President Joe Biden’s administration about a plan to evacuate Palestinian civilians prior to a potential military operation in Rafah, southern Gaza, aimed at targeting Hamas fighters.
According to U.S. officials familiar with the discussions, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic, the detailed plan presented by the Israelis has not altered the U.S. administration’s perspective that proceeding with the operation in Rafah could endanger a significant number of innocent Palestinian civilians.
Despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s commitment to carrying out the military operation, President Biden and other Western officials have warned that such an action would likely result in more civilian casualties and exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis.
The Biden administration has warned Israel of potential consequences if it proceeds with the operation without a reliable plan to protect civilians. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his concerns at the Sedona Forum in Arizona, hosted by the McCain Institute, stating, “In the absence of such a plan, we cannot support a major military operation in Rafah because the damage it would cause is beyond what is acceptable.”
Approximately 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge in the southern city of Gaza, where the region has been devastated by a war that began on October 7 following an attack by Hamas-led Palestinian militants in southern Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and about 250 hostages taken.
UN humanitarian agencies warned on Friday that millions could be “in imminent danger of death” if Israel proceeds with the Rafah attack. Rafah, a critical entry point for humanitarian aid, is crowded with displaced Palestinians, many of whom are living in densely populated camps.
Officials added that the Israeli evacuation plan is still incomplete, and both sides agreed to continue discussions on the matter.
