Blinken’s Cairo Visit Amid Concerns over Potential Israeli Incursion into Rafah
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s arrival in Cairo coincides with mounting apprehension over a potential Israeli military move into the Palestinian city of Rafah. Reports from American media sources suggest that the Biden administration is considering various options regarding the anticipated Israeli military action in southern Gaza. There is uncertainty about whether Blinken’s diplomatic mission will ease Egyptian concerns regarding a potential venture into Rafah.
Blinken’s Visit and Prospects for Resolving Tensions in Rafah
Experts downplay the likelihood of Blinken’s visit leading to significant breakthroughs or dispelling concerns regarding the anticipated Israeli operation in Rafah. They emphasize that while the United States does not exhibit a clear determination to oppose an Israeli incursion into the city bordering Egypt, it seeks assurances to minimize civilian casualties during such an event.
Proposed Alternatives by the Biden Administration
In parallel, Axios reported on Wednesday that the Biden administration plans to propose alternatives to a forthcoming visit by a high-level Israeli delegation to Washington. The U.S. administration has reportedly discussed several alternatives for the Israeli ground incursion into Rafah. One proposal involves delaying the military operation in the city and focusing on humanitarian efforts in northern Gaza, where famine looms, according to UN reports. Officials also confirm another idea focusing on securing the Egyptian side of the Gaza border through a joint plan involving the United States, Egypt, and Israel. This plan entails destroying existing tunnels under the border and establishing infrastructure to prevent weapon smuggling into Gaza, as reported by Axios.
President Biden’s Concerns and White House Statements
The Biden administration opposes an Israeli military operation in Rafah, expressing concerns over the lack of an actionable plan to protect Palestinians. President Biden reiterated his concerns about Israel’s impending ground operation in Rafah during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a statement from the White House. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that such an operation could hinder the entry of urgently needed humanitarian aid from Egypt to Gaza, isolate Israel internationally, and undermine the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty.
Israeli Prime Minister’s Stance and Egyptian Response
In contrast, Netanyahu insists on carrying out a military operation in Rafah to eliminate the Hamas movement. He stated in a closed-door discussion in the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that there is no alternative to a ground invasion of the border city in southern Gaza.
Israeli channel “24” quoted Netanyahu as saying, “The Americans asked us not to act in Rafah, but there is no other choice. We need to control the Philadelphia axis.”
Egypt has repeatedly warned against the danger of Israel conducting a ground military operation in Rafah, where approximately 1.5 million Palestinians reside, most of whom have sought refuge in the city adjacent to the Egyptian border due to continuous Israeli targeting of all areas of the Strip over the past six months. Egypt asserts that the consequences would be severe.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stated that the United States must clarify to Israel the consequences of conducting a military operation in Rafah, following Washington’s expressed opposition to such a move. Egypt has previously cautioned that any Israeli actions leading to the displacement of Palestinians into its territories would pose a serious threat to the peace treaty between the two countries signed in 1979.
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