Israel’s war cabinet has approved expanding its Hamas battle plan to include Rafah, a move that could soon see Israel Defense Forces enter the densely populated city, which the Jewish state claims is the last bastion for the terrorists.
The decision came fewer than 48 hours after President Biden — dismayed by the rising civilian death toll in Gaza — told CNN that the US would withhold munitions shipments from Israel if it invaded Rafah.
Two sources with knowledge of the details claim Israel’s adapted war plan constitutes a “measured expansion” that won’t encroach on Biden’s “red line” on Rafah, Axios reported.
But a third source told the outlet that the approved expansion plan could potentially be viewed by the US as crossing it.
A majority of the war cabinet also reportedly told Israeli negotiators working on hammering out a hostage exchange and ceasefire deal with Hamas to continue their efforts despite the “expansion of the area of operation” approved Thursday night.
Hawkish cabinet ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who have urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to invade Rafah, voted to suspend negotiations, the outlet said.
Hamas envoys and Israeli leaders met in Cairo on Sunday for another attempt at reaching an agreement, reportedly engaging in “in-depth and serious discussions” on a deal that would see a number of hostages released in return for a 40-day ceasefire, according to the Guardian.
But negotiations broke down when the sides couldn’t agree on terms, including Hamas’ insistence it would reject any agreement that doesn’t involve a permanent end to hostilities, a position Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said presented “worrying signs that Hamas does not intend to reach an agreement with us.”
Both sides withdrew from the negotiations without scheduling another round of talks.
Israeli tanks seized control of the Rafah Crossing — or the supply route between Gaza and Egypt — on Tuesday, with armored vehicles and troops engaging in skirmishes with Hamas terrorists as thousands of Palestinians attempted to flee the city, which is believed to house more than 1 million refugees.
The White House did not respond to a Post request for comment Friday afternoon.