Israeli Foreign Minister Yoav Gallant announced plans to deploy additional troops to assist in operations against Hamas in Rafah. He stated that Israeli operations have successfully destroyed multiple Hamas tunnels in the area and that the deployment of troops will intensify the efforts. The move comes as President Biden warned that the U.S. would pause military aid if Israel proceeds with a full-scale operation in Gaza. Gallant emphasized that Hamas is being worn down and that the organization does not have the resources to sustain its operations.
Israel has been increasing its attacks in Rafah and northern Gaza, with the IDF securing a Hamas training ground in eastern Rafah and recovering equipment and vehicles used for combat simulations. Despite Biden’s ultimatum regarding operations in Rafah, he approved $18 billion in funding for Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that the IDF will continue its efforts to root out Hamas from Rafah. The city is a major stronghold for Hamas and is home to approximately 1.5 million displaced Palestinians who fled northern Gaza.
Reports have emerged of the Biden administration offering intelligence on Hamas leadership to Israel in exchange for restraint in Rafah. This intelligence would help Israel pinpoint Hamas leaders hidden in tunnels and conduct more precise operations to avoid the devastation seen in other areas of Gaza during the conflict. Israel, however, has continued to ramp up its attacks and is focused on destroying additional tunnels in Rafah. The Israeli military believes that wearing down Hamas through targeted attacks is the key to diminishing the organization’s capabilities.
The U.S. military has constructed a hulking metal pier amid Biden’s efforts to provide aid to Gaza. While Biden has expressed concern over Israel’s operations in Rafah, he also approved $18 billion in funding for the country. Israel has refrained from launching a full-scale operation in Gaza, opting for more precise strikes to target Hamas. The IDF’s focus remains on dismantling Hamas’s presence in Rafah and neutralizing the organization’s ability to carry out attacks.
Israel’s deployment of additional troops to Rafah signals a continuation of its efforts to combat Hamas in the region. The Israeli government believes that by destroying tunnels and targeting Hamas leaders, they can weaken the organization and prevent future attacks. President Biden’s warning about pausing military aid has not deterred Israel from intensifying its operations in Rafah, although the U.S. has offered intelligence support to help minimize civilian casualties and collateral damage. The situation in Rafah remains tense, with both sides seeking to gain an advantage in the ongoing conflict.
