Biden Admin Claims Date Set by Netanyahu for Rafah Assault is Pure “Bluster”

Biden Admin Claims Date Set by Netanyahu for Rafah Assault is Pure “Bluster”

Edited by: TJVNews.com

The Biden administration is challenging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that a specific date has been set for a ground offensive into Rafah, dismissing it as political posturing fueled by Netanyahu’s precarious position at home, according to senior administration officials as reported by CNN on Wednesday.

Publicly, the administration has cast doubt on Netanyahu’s claim made on Monday regarding Israel’s decision to launch a wide scale offensive into the southern Gaza city, as was reported by CNN. Top Biden national security officials stated on Tuesday that no such date had been communicated to them.

Privately, multiple senior administration officials view Netanyahu’s announcement, followed by a declaration on Tuesday that “no force in the world” would prevent Israeli troops from entering Rafah, as bravado rather than concrete strategy.

The prime minister finds himself grappling with the challenge of balancing his stated objective of eradicating Hamas with the immense pressure to secure a ceasefire that would result in the release of Israeli hostages, as per the information provided in the CNN report. Israeli authorities argue that four Hamas battalions remain entrenched in Rafah and must be neutralized.

Netanyahu is also confronted with the reality of a ticking clock – once the conflict concludes, Israel is anticipated to undergo a political reckoning, potentially leading to the fragmentation of Netanyahu’s fragile far-right governing coalition.

In response to Netanyahu’s plans for Rafah, American officials have emphasized that the U.S. has not received a comprehensive plan from Israel outlining the operational details of such an undertaking, the CNN report said. This includes concerns about evacuating the majority of Rafah’s estimated 1.4 million civilians prior to any military action.

The CNN report indicated that Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Tuesday, “We do not have a date for any Rafah operation, at least one that’s been communicated to us by the Israelis,” while also remarking, “I don’t see anything imminent.” President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan echoed this sentiment, telling reporters, “If he has a date he hasn’t shared it with us.”

Furthermore, during a call with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reportedly conveyed Israel’s ongoing preparations for a potential invasion of Rafah but did not indicate a specific date for such an operation, as was reported by CNN. According to sources familiar with the call, Israel is focused on formulating a comprehensive plan that prioritizes the protection of civilians.

The Biden administration’s response underscores its awareness of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s precarious political situation, particularly his alignment with an ultra-conservative government, considered the most right-wing in Israeli history, the CNN report said. Despite this sensitivity, U.S. officials have refrained from publicly commenting on Israeli politics throughout the Gaza war, aiming to maintain diplomatic discretion.

Nevertheless, private criticisms of Israel’s government have occasionally surfaced, with President Biden himself expressing concerns during a donor event in Washington in December. Noted in the CNN report was that Biden urged Netanyahu to reconsider his approach to the conflict, reflecting broader tensions within the U.S.-Israel relationship amid ongoing hostilities in the region.

During a recent virtual meeting, top Biden national security officials engaged with Israeli counterparts, including Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, seeking clarity on Israel’s plans for a potential ground offensive into Rafah. CNN reported that specifically, the U.S. officials pressed for details on the logistical challenges of evacuating civilians from the area, including housing arrangements and provisions for basic necessities like food and water.

However, Israeli officials reportedly provided incomplete answers to these inquiries during the meeting, prompting the need for further discussions and a subsequent in-person follow-up session scheduled for the coming week, as was detailed in the CNN report. Blinken confirmed the anticipated continuation of dialogue between the two sides, emphasizing the importance of addressing critical operational details.

In addition to logistical concerns, Israeli officials defended the necessity of entering Rafah, citing the need to prevent Hamas from regrouping and launching further attacks. According to the CNN report, they argued that the efforts invested in rooting out Hamas during the initial months of the conflict would be rendered futile if action is not taken to address the remaining threats posed by the Iranian backed terror group in Rafah.

The President warned that support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza was dwindling amidst the sustained bombardment, highlighting the urgency of reevaluating strategies to achieve lasting peace in the region, as per the information in the CNN report.