Israel-Hamas war live updates: IDF launches overnight raid on Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital
NBCApr 02
US to Pitch Israel on Securing Egypt-Gaza Border Without Entering Rafah
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The Facts
US officials have reportedly pitched an alternative plan to Israel to avoid an operation into the Gaza border town of Rafah, where the US and Israel believe four remaining Hamas battalions are holding out. The plan would reportedly include securing the Egyptian border without conducting a ground assault into Rafah, where over 1M Palestinians have taken refuge.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel was ready to advance into Rafah, but that it "will take some time." Netanyahu, who spoke to US Pres. Joe Biden on Monday, is also dispatching top aides to Washington this weekend to review US proposals.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Israel must be able to defend itself from terrorist attacks from Gaza or elsewhere, and the US is committed to preventing malicious actors from threatening Israel's legitimate concerns. However, the Biden admin. is losing its patience with Netanyahu's intransigence. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is rapidly getting out of hand, and Israeli forces entering Rafah would only make the situation more dire. The US is more than willing to accommodate Israel's security needs. However, Netanyahu must be willing to play ball.
Pro-Israel narrative
Hamas has a long history of using Palestinians as human shields, and this instance is no different. Israel must enter Rafah if an agreement is not reached soon, as the terrorists who partook in Hamas' Oct. 7 atrocities must be neutralized to ensure Israel's continued security. Though Biden may think it is politically wise to hamstring Netanyahu, if he cares about Israel or Israelis at all, he would drop the politics and put all of the US' weight behind Israel, which did not want this war.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel is using famine and displacement as weapons of war in Gaza, and, if Israeli forces enter Rafah, it will be a disaster that dwarfs the carnage of the last six months. By weaponizing humanitarian measures, such as "evacuation orders" and "safe zones," Israel has demonstrated that its real goal is to exile Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Any rational observer can see that Israel has been unfairly shielded from accountability, and everything must be done to end this cruel war.
