Israel Seeks New Date for US Talks on Gaza Strategy After Unexpected Cancellation

Israel is seeking to reschedule a critical meeting with US officials that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly canceled earlier this week following the US support for a United Nations cease-fire resolution in Gaza. The initial cancellation came as a surprise, sparking frustration and confusion within the Biden Administration, which saw the move as an unnecessary escalation in response to the Security Council’s decision.

The discussions, initially set to address Israel’s military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, were put on hold after Netanyahu’s unexpected decision to call off the senior Israeli delegation’s visit to Washington. This decision was perceived by many as indicative of the growing tensions between the US and Israel, particularly concerning the approach to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

According to Reuters, a US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that Netanyahu’s office has expressed a desire to find a new date for the talks, emphasizing the importance of the meeting in the context of Israel’s proposed actions in Rafah. The city has become a focal point due to its status as one of the last safe areas for Palestinian civilians amidst the conflict.

The Biden Administration, while caught off guard by the initial cancellation, remains committed to finding a diplomatic path forward. Officials in Washington have indicated that alternatives to a ground offensive in Rafah, which the US has labeled as potentially disastrous, will be a central topic of the rescheduled dialogue. The White House aims to present Israeli representatives with viable strategies for addressing the threat posed by Hamas without resorting to measures that could further escalate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.