Blinken Criticizes Israel’s Plan for Rafah, Highlights Risk of Insurgency

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed significant concerns about Israel’s military strategy in Rafah, Gaza, highlighting the lack of a “credible plan” to protect Palestinian civilians during a potential Israeli attack. In an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Blinken warned that an Israeli assault on Rafah could inadvertently foster an insurgency, leaving armed Hamas fighters in place or leading to a chaotic power vacuum likely to be filled again by Hamas.

The deepening rift between Israel and the United States was further underscored as US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan voiced President Joe Biden’s longstanding apprehensions regarding a major Israeli offensive in Rafah during a discussion with his Israeli counterpart, Tzachi Hanegbi. This conversation aligns with a broader US strategy to explore alternative methods to effectively combat Hamas without exacerbating civilian casualties and geopolitical tensions.

Amidst this backdrop, Blinken also addressed a controversial pause in US military aid to Israel, specifically a shipment of bombs, justified by fears of massive civilian harm and potential violations of international law. This decision has sparked a heated debate within the US political landscape, drawing criticism from figures such as Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, each articulating starkly contrasting views on the US-Israel relationship and the ethical implications of military support.