Blinken Heads to Tel Aviv for Sixth Visit; Rising Disagreements Between the U.S. and Israel on Military Operations in Rafah

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to Israel on Friday, March 23, to discuss various aspects of the Israel-Hamas war, including Israel's intention for a large-scale ground operation in the city of Rafah. This discussion follows his talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. Israel's military operations in Rafah have raised concerns, and for some time, the Biden administration has requested that the Netanyahu government prepare a plan for this operation as well as for relocating civilians in that city to safety. One condition from the Biden administration has been to see both plans. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office quoted Benjamin Netanyahu on its website on March 21, stating that the aforementioned military plan has been prepared and approved. The evacuation plan for civilians is also expected to begin soon. However, the Biden administration has yet to see Israel's military plan, which may be presented to Blinken in Tel Aviv on Friday. It seems that the Biden administration may have changed its positive stance regarding the operation, even with these conditions. On Monday, March 19, Jake Sullivan, Biden's National Security Advisor, stated at a press conference that 'the key objectives that Israel wants to achieve in Rafah are achievable through other means.' At the same time, the Biden administration's view that 'Hamas must be defeated' has not changed. Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, reiterated this view at a press conference on March 21. According to Patel, Blinken will discuss 'the necessity of defeating Hamas, including in Rafah, in a way that civilians are safe and does not obstruct humanitarian aid while ensuring Israel's security.' Following a phone call on Sunday between Biden and Netanyahu and various news reports from the Israeli Prime Minister, a summary of this conversation was published in writing on March 21 addressed to the citizens of that country. In part, without mentioning the U.S., he wrote that sometimes they have been in agreement with friendly countries and sometimes not, but ultimately 'we have always done what is vital for our security, and this time will be no different.' Now, another knot has formed in U.S.-Israeli relations regarding the shipment of weapons to Israel in accordance with U.S. laws. According to a presidential executive order from 2016, the recipient country engaged in war must provide written assurances to the U.S. Secretary of State that the use of those weapons will comply with international human rights laws and humanitarian assistance. Now, Netanyahu and Blinken's task will be difficult. Given the five-month war and civilian casualties, it is unclear how Israel will provide such assurances, and how Blinken can accept them. This comes as it is reported that the U.S. State Department plans to inform Congress in the coming weeks of its intention to transfer several arms shipments to Israel.