Israel retooled its military operations in Rafah, Gaza, following intensive discussions with American officials to avoid crossing President Joe Biden's red line and provoking a crisis with its closest ally, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.
Instead of a two-division sweep through Rafah, the IDF opted for a scaled-back campaign focusing on sealing the border between Gaza and Egypt, where arms are often smuggled, as well as raids into Rafah.
Video: IDF finds booby-trapped home in Rafah / Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
This quiet adjustment of Israel's anti-Hamas campaign plan enabled it to steer clear of Biden's warning against a major ground operation in Rafah, which could risk a reduction in American military support.
The debate over Biden's red line comment is likely to reverberate, with some interpreting it as a ban on any military operation in Rafah, while the administration intended to discourage operations resulting in civilian casualties. Behind closed doors, Israel's planning was discussed extensively with US officials, leading to the scaled-back approach.
While avoiding a full-scale ground assault, Israel's more deliberate approach could prolong combat operations, with an Israeli official expecting at least seven more months of fighting. The limited Rafah operation has also posed diplomatic challenges, with Egypt initially refusing to reopen the Rafah crossing and suspending aid movement through Kerem Shalom.
Israel considers the Rafah operation crucial in achieving the two goals it set after 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were brutally murdered by terrorists and over 200 were taken hostage on Oct. 7: to destroy Hamas and secure the release of the over 120 captives still held by the terror group. Most of them are believed to be held in Rafah.
