Report: Israel to Present Egypt With Plans for Rafah

By Yoni Weiss

Israel is intensifying its discussions with the Egyptian government ahead of an anticipated ground operation in Rafah, according to a report by Yediot. The primary focus of these talks is the development of an underground barrier at the Rafah border, aiming to curb the use of smuggling tunnels between Egypt and Gaza.

Egypt has conveyed warnings to Israel against a potential ground operation in Rafah, expressing concerns that it could lead to a mass influx of Gazans seeking refuge in Egypt. Some Egyptian politicians have even threatened to cancel the 1979 peace agreement with Israel in response, according to reports. Cairo argues that Israeli actions in Rafah during Ramadan could escalate into a crisis impacting the entire region.

In the midst of these developments, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi provided insights during a situational assessment in the northern Gaza Strip. Halevi highlighted the progress in the ongoing conflict, emphasizing advancements in intelligence, ground operations, and strikes against the enemy.

The IDF’s activities involve revisiting areas with enhanced intelligence, leading to heightened operational success, the advancement of commanders, and the destruction of infrastructure in targeted locations.