Israel, US set for virtual discussion on IDF's invasion of Rafah today

Israel and the US are expected to hold a virtual meeting on Monday to discuss the Biden administration's alternative proposals for an IDF ground invasion of Rafah, four senior Israeli and American officials told Walla.

The meeting scheduled initially for last week has transformed into a focal point of political and diplomatic tension between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden.

Last week, Netanyahu decided to cancel the delegation's trip to Washington in protest against the US not vetoing a decision in the UN Security Council calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of all hostages. However, a day later, Netanyahu began sending discreet messages to the White House expressing his desire to reschedule such a meeting.

After the White House publicly revealed Netanyahu's request, the Prime Minister denied that he had approved the delegation to Washington.

The Biden administration emphasized that an operation in Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians reside, could lead to mass casualties of innocent civilians and worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Netanyahu's close advisor, Strategic AffAIRS Minister Ron Dermer, has told him several times in the past few days that he must send the delegation to Washington as soon as possible to avoid exacerbating the crisis with President Biden.

Details of the meeting

A senior Israeli official said holding a virtual meeting would allow Netanyahu to "climb down from the tree" and discuss Rafah with the White House without sending a delegation to Washington.

The meeting is expected to take place in a secure video conference call, according to senior Israeli and American officials.

The White House National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, will lead the American side in the discussions and will be joined by other senior officials from the White House, the Department of Defense, the State Department, and the US intelligence community.

The Israeli side of the talks will be led by Dermer and National Security Council chief Tzachi Hanegbi. Senior officials from the Defense Ministry and the IDF will join them.

An Israeli official said that another meeting on the subject of Rafah is planned to occur the following week at the White House, and an Israeli delegation is expected to travel to Washington.

The White House and the Prime Minister's Office declined to comment.

Netanyahu said Sunday night at a press conference that he had not authorized his advisers to travel to Washington for talks on Rafah. However, he did not disclose that a virtual meeting between the parties is expected to occur Monday. "We will find a way to talk to the Americans about Rafah," Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu said at the press conference that he approved the IDF’s operational plans for Rafah. This was the fourth time in the last two months that Netanyahu said this.

"The IDF is preparing to evacuate the civilian population and providing humanitarian aid. This is both operationally and internationally correct. It takes time, but it will be done. We will enter Rafah and eliminate the Hamas battalions there," Netanyahu said.