Report: U.S. Approves Israeli Operation in Rafah in Exchange for Limited Response to Iran

By Yoni Weiss

According to Egyptian sources reported by the London-based newspaper Al Araby Al Jadid on Thursday, the Biden administration has consented to Israel’s planned military operation in Rafah, contingent on a restrained response to Iran.

This approval comes as part of the U.S. strategy to avoid further escalation in the region. The operation in Rafah, the last stronghold of Hamas, has been a point of contention.

In conjunction with this, the U.S. imposed new sanctions on Iran on Wednesday. These sanctions appear to be a preventive measure to curb potential escalations in the Middle East following anticipated Israeli actions after Pesach.

The report further notes that the IDF have initiated airstrikes in areas of southern Gaza near the Egyptian border, areas suspected of being used by Hamas for arms smuggling.

The possibility of the Rafah operation has prompted active diplomatic efforts from Egypt to delay or prevent it, amid concerns that it could jeopardize the peace agreement between Israel and Egypt. The Egyptian Ministry of Information warned that the operation might further endanger displaced Gazans and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.