The Biden administration has expressed its support for Israel’s recent seizure of the Rafah crossing in Gaza, calling it a “legitimate goal” while also pushing for the border to be reopened. Despite concerns over the well-being of the more than 1.5 million Palestinians in Rafah, the US State Department downplayed the severity of the assault, describing it as “limited.”
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the US opposes a major military operation in Rafah but acknowledged that the attack on the crossing could be a prelude to a larger offensive. The closure of the Rafah crossing has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with medical supplies and fuel needed for the operation of medical facilities being blocked.
While justifying the Israeli attack on the crossing, Miller also called for its reopening to allow for the passage of humanitarian aid and critically ill patients. He mentioned that Hamas controlled the Gaza side of the crossing and was profiting from it, which was a reason for the attack. However, he emphasized the importance of reopening the crossing and vowed to work towards that goal.
The closure of the Rafah crossing came after Hamas launched a rocket attack near the Karem Abu Salem border crossing, prompting Israel to shut it down. The United Nations has called for the immediate reopening of both crossings to ensure the flow of aid and essential supplies into Gaza.
Meanwhile, Hamas has reportedly accepted a ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar, which includes the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and an eventual end to the conflict. However, Israel rejected the deal but expressed willingness to engage in further negotiations. The Biden administration is actively involved in the negotiations and is working towards achieving a ceasefire agreement.
Overall, the situation in Gaza remains tense, with efforts being made to de-escalate the conflict and reopen vital border crossings to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian population.
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The key points of the News|Israel War on Gaza include the US playing down the Israeli assault on Rafah, Israel’s justification for seizing the Rafah crossing, the impact of the closure of the crossing on humanitarian aid and medical supplies to Gaza, and the ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
In terms of long-term implications and possible future developments, the continued closure of the Rafah crossing and the Karem Abu Salem border crossing could worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leading to further shortages of essential supplies and medical care. The rejection of the ceasefire proposal by Israel and the ongoing negotiations suggest that the conflict is far from over and could escalate further.
Actionable advice based on these insights would be to urge all parties involved to prioritize the well-being of civilians in Gaza and work towards a sustainable ceasefire agreement that addresses the root causes of the conflict. International pressure and diplomatic efforts should be intensified to ensure the reopening of the crossings and the delivery of much-needed aid to the people of Gaza. Additionally, support for long-term peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts in the region should be prioritized to prevent further violence and suffering.