The White House National Security spokesperson says a major operation in Rafah will not defeat Hamas
John Kirby, the White House National Security spokesperson, said on Thursday that a major operation by Israel in Rafah will not advance Washington and Tel Aviv’s goal of defeating the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.
Mr. Kirby said in a press briefing with reporters that an attack on Rafah will not advance this goal.
Despite these warnings from the U.S., according to Reuters, a senior Israeli official said on Thursday, May 10, that Israel will continue with its planned operation in Rafah.
The senior official, whose name was not mentioned, explained that Israel has dispatched mediators of the Gaza ceasefire negotiations to convey our considerations about Hamas’s proposal for a hostage release agreement, and believes that this round of negotiations in Cairo has concluded.
The official added that the Israeli delegation is returning from the Egyptian capital, and Israel will continue its operations in Rafah and other parts of the Gaza Strip as planned.
