US Warns Israel Again: Large Military Attack on Rafah Will Benefit Hamas

The White House National Security Council's strategic communications coordinator warned on Thursday that Israel's large military attack on Rafah would give Hamas the upper hand in ceasefire negotiations. John Kirby told reporters at a press conference in Washington that Israel has effectively eliminated Hamas commanders and military units, which is a significant factor in the calculations regarding the continuation of the war. The National Security Council spokesperson noted that from the US perspective, any major ground operation in Rafah would actually give Hamas a stronger position at the negotiating table, not Israel. Kirby further warned that conducting military operations in Rafah would result in more civilian casualties, which would benefit Hamas, and once again urged Israel to refrain from a large-scale attack on Rafah. He added that the US believes that the Israelis have put significant pressure on Hamas, and therefore there are far better ways to deal with what remains of Hamas in Rafah than through extensive military operations. The US President stated on Wednesday that he had previously made it clear to Israel that if it goes after Rafah, weapons used in the attack on Rafah would not be sent to Israel. Joe Biden, in an exclusive interview with CNN, said that the bombs whose shipment to Israel has been suspended were used to kill Palestinian civilians during the war in the Gaza Strip. This was Biden's first comment after the announcement of the suspension of some munitions shipments to Israel by the United States last week, a statement that media outlets refer to as a new warning to Israel. Concerns about civilian security have been repeatedly emphasized by the Biden administration, which has stated that its support for Israel and commitment to the security of this country is unwavering, while also stressing the necessity of preserving the lives of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. Following Hamas's deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7 last year and the outbreak of war in Gaza, many Palestinians, both civilians and members of Hamas, a group supported by the Iranian government, have fled to Rafah. Israel has repeatedly emphasized that Hamas uses civilians as human shields and has stated that this war will continue until the complete destruction of this group. Both Israel and the US consider Hamas a terrorist organization. The World Health Organization reports that about 1.2 million people have taken refuge in Rafah, more than half of whom are children. Many of them have come to Rafah from other conflict areas over the past months. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, announced on Thursday that since Monday, following Israel's warning to civilians to evacuate Rafah, about 80,000 people have fled, with many still remaining there. Despite international criticism and warnings from the United States, as Israel's largest and primary supporter, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government continues to insist on conducting major military operations in Rafah. The US Army's floating dock receives the first shipment of aid sent to Gaza. The reaction of American lawmakers to the Biden administration's decision to halt the shipment of some weapons to Israel. Israel targeted eastern Rafah with airstrikes; tanks are positioned outside the city. The US reiterates its commitment to Israel's security: the suspension of arms shipments is 'not a policy change.' The CIA director met with Netanyahu; intensifying efforts to prevent a full-scale Israeli attack on Rafah. The US has halted the shipment of 'some weapons' to Israel; efforts to prevent a full-scale attack on Rafah. The White House: Netanyahu agreed in talks with Biden that the 'Karem Shalom' crossing would remain open for humanitarian aid.