WashingtonLess than an hour after the end of US President Joe Biden’s call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and several hours after the Israeli occupation army issued orders for the displaced residents to leave the eastern outskirts of the Rafah area in the southern Gaza Strip, in preparation for launching a military operation there, the Islamic Resistance Movement overturned Hamas turned the table on the Israeli side by announcing its acceptance of the Egyptian-Qatari proposal, supported by America, regarding a ceasefire.
In the midst of the marathon diplomatic discussions that took place in Cairo and Doha during the last hours, the US State Department made it clear that the current Israeli military plans to invade Rafah cannot be supported by Washington, and that Israel has not done enough to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
After a visit that lasted several days to the capitals of the region to resolve the deal to release detainees and a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken left the region to blame what he considered to be Hamas’s rejection of the Egyptian-Qatari proposals.
Hours later, CIA Director William Burns returned for a shuttle negotiation tour between Cairo and Doha that contributed to clarifying the American position on the deal being negotiated.
Running non-stop
For his part, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, “We still believe that the hostage deal is the best way to preserve the lives of the hostages and avoid the invasion of Rafah, where more than a million people are taking shelter, and that the talks are now ongoing without interruption.”
In a press briefing following the announcement of Hamas’ acceptance of the deal, Kirby said, “We are currently reviewing Hamas’ response and discussing it with our partners in the region, and I will not be able to comment further on this matter until we know where things stand.”
President Joe Biden previously told the Israeli Prime Minister, “Invading Rafah would be a mistake,” and stressed that Washington does not support an attack without a credible plan to help about 1.2 million civilians sheltering there.
During a call with Netanyahu on Monday afternoon, Biden reiterated his “clear position” on the looming incursion, according to a readout provided by the White House, which noted Biden also reviewed “ongoing talks to secure the release of hostages and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,” and also “discussed increased “In delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, including through preparations to open new northern crossings starting this week.”
Biden’s internal position is complicated
American officials fear that Netanyahu’s determination to carry out a massive ground assault on Rafah will lead to heavy casualties among civilians, and that this step will increase the extent of domestic American anger over Biden’s pro-Israel stance.
The pressure of the Biden administration, through its intense diplomatic effort to mediate a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel to prevent the invasion of Rafah, with the need to release hostages and prisoners, including 5 citizens with American citizenship, represented a special priority with the approaching election season.
Reports indicated a decision taken by the Biden administration a few days ago to delay the delivery of ammunition to Israel in an attempt to show the consequences that Washington faces if Israel chooses to proceed with a massive military attack on Rafah. John Kirby declined to confirm or deny these reports.
Bear hug strategy
Biden fears that the Rafah storming will deal another blow to what is known as the “bear hug” strategy (unlimited support for Israel) pursued by the Biden administration, which believes that full American support for Israel in public allows the Americans secretly to direct the Israelis towards less severe military action.
The escalation of violence in Gaza would also complicate the internal politics of Biden, who is already dealing with opposition movements in his Democratic Party, which was clearly evident in the voting pattern in the primary elections, in addition to the massive protest movement that is sweeping hundreds of American universities because of his policy in support of Israel.
Biden’s aides hope that the ceasefire will give the president an outlet, amid widespread protests and fears of expected chaos during the Democratic Party convention next August.
Independent Senator Bernie Sanders expressed the need for Biden to take a decisive stance, and tweeted – on the of civilians. President Biden must back up his words with action and end all offensive military aid to Israel.”
Is Biden moving?
For her part, Heidi Matthews, a professor of international law at York University School of Law in Canada who previously worked with the International Court of Justice at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, stated that the Biden administration stated weeks ago that it does not support a ground operation in Rafah in the absence of a credible humanitarian plan.
Speaking to Tel Aviv Tribune Net, she added that before such an invasion, Israel ordered the displacement of about 100,000 civilians in Rafah to areas where the necessities of life are not available, including housing, sanitation, and nutrition, and called on the Biden administration to consider the invasion of Rafah – in light of these inhumane conditions. – “A red line that would lead to the suspension of military aid to Israel.”
For his part, Ambassador David Mack, former Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs and currently an expert at the Atlantic Council, indicated in an interview with Tel Aviv Tribune Net that “the best thing Biden can do with regard to American public opinion is to announce a ban on American exports to Israel of all weapons.” offensive until a permanent ceasefire is reached.”