US Warns Israel over Prolonged Conflict in Rafah as Hamas and Al-Senwar Benefit

According to a recent assessment by a senior American official, both Hamas and Al-Senwar would benefit from a prolonged and extensive conflict in Rafah, as reported by The Washington Post. This revelation comes amidst warnings from President Joe Biden that limiting or halting US defensive military assistance to Israel may ensue if the latter proceeds with a full-scale operation in Rafah. While the US previously urged for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas before any Israeli action in Rafah, negotiations failed due to the inability of the two parties to reach a consensus. The scale of Israel’s operations in Rafah has yet to be fully determined, although the Israeli security cabinet authorized an expansion of these activities last Thursday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained that this measure is essential to eliminate the remaining four Hamas battalions situated in Rafah. Despite this development, neither the Biden administration nor the UN has confirmed the occurrence of a “massive invasion” in Rafah. On the contrary, Israeli forces presently engage in a “precise counterterrorism operation” in the eastern regions of Rafah. Reports indicate that approximately 110,000 individuals have left Rafah as a consequence of Israeli recommendations.