The Biden administration is proposing to share critical intelligence on the whereabouts of Hamas leadership with Israel, contingent on Israel refraining from launching a full-scale military operation in Rafah, according to a report by the Washington Post. The US aims to prevent a large-scale invasion by offering sensitive information that could help Israel target Hamas leaders and uncover hidden tunnels.
This strategic offer comes amid concerns from the US regarding the safety of over one million Gazans currently sheltered in Rafah, as Israel’s planned operation could endanger these residents.American officials have also offered to assist in the humanitarian effort by providing thousands of shelters and helping with the construction of systems for delivering essential supplies like food, water, and medicine.
Israel began a limited military operation in Rafah on May 6, evacuating hundreds of thousands from eastern Rafah to an expanded humanitarian zone at Al-Mawasi. During this initial stage, Israeli forces secured the Gaza side of the Rafah Crossing, crucial for control and logistics in the region.
IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm Daniel Hagari reported that the operation has been tactically focused, resulting in the deaths of dozens of terrorists, the discovery of tunnels, and the seizure of weapons, while avoiding densely populated areas. The operation, expected to last about two months, is being conducted in phases to allow for potential pauses for hostage release negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
The phased approach also aligns with the Biden administration’s recent decision to halt offensive arms shipments to Israel, specifically for operations in Rafah. In a CNN interview, U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized that while the US remains committed to Israel’s security, including support for the Iron Dome, it will not supply weapons that could be used in a full-scale assault on Rafah.
President Biden stressed, “If they [the IDF] go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities—that deal with that problem… It’s just wrong. We’re not going to—we’re not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells.”
This stance has sparked criticism both in Israel and the United States. Israel’s UN ambassador Gilad Erdan questioned how Israel could effectively combat Hamas without entering Rafah, a critical area for the terrorist group’s operations. US Rep Ritchie Torres also expressed concern, highlighting the contradiction in American policy and questioning the reliability of US commitments.
Amidst these developments, tensions were further strained when Israel was caught off guard by a ceasefire proposal from Hamas, accepted publicly before Israel had a chance to review the terms, which reportedly included new elements introduced by American, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators. Israeli officials have accused the Biden administration of offering undisclosed concessions to Hamas, complicating the path to a resolution of the conflict.