Israel seizes control of strategic Gaza land border, claims area is awash in smuggling tunnels
PBS NewsHourMay 23
Israeli Forces Withdraw from Jabalia
Above: CAESAREA, ISRAEL - MAY 31: Family members, friends, and soldiers react during the funeral for Israeli soldier Ader Gabriel Image copyright: Amir Levy/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Israel's military (IDF) said Friday that it had ended combat operations and withdrawn its troops from the north Gazan city of Jabalia. During the three-week offensive, Israeli forces reportedly found the remains of seven hostages taken by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack.
In the south, Israel confirmed its forces were operating in the center of Rafah and indicated that they had already been operating in most parts of the city. Though most civilians have fled the area, an unnamed UN official reportedly said 300K people are believed to remain.
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 humanitarian situation in Gaza has gotten out of hand, and the Biden administration's red lines are clear. Netanyahu must keep his promises and work with US allies to find a resolution to this conflict.
Pro-Israel narrative
The battle for Rafah is the most important battle of this war. Israeli forces are focusing on the Philadelphi corridor, which straddles the Egyptian border, as this region is crucial in preventing Hamas from rebuilding its clandestine supply lines into Gaza. Indeed, Israel must continue to push forward in Rafah, as it is the only way to defeat Hamas.
Pro-Palestine narrative
It should be clear after almost eight months of grinding brutality that Israel's true goal is to destroy Gaza and starve its people. The US, which has obscured its support for the Rafah offensive, has helped Israel destroy Gaza at every step of the way, even providing the bombs that burned dozens of women and children alive on Sunday. Washington is complicit in Israel's daily massacres.