Deep divides between US and Israel in meeting for Rafah plans

Deep divides between the US and Israel over the latter's planned operation in Rafah were evident during a virtual meeting between senior officials from both countries held on Monday, three sources with direct knowledge of the meeting told Axios. 

Despite that, following the meeting, the White House said that Israel will take "into account" US concerns over its planned offensive in the crowded city of Rafah, where more than a million people are sheltering from fighting in Gaza.

The meeting was attended by White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, leading the US side, while Netanyahu's confidants, Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, represented the Israeli side. Several other defense, policy, and intelligence officials from both sides participated.

On Wednesday, Axios reported that during Monday's meeting, both sides disagreed on how to evacuate more than one million Palestinians from Rafah. The sources, remaining anonymous for security reasons, cited the Israeli side as saying that it could take "at least four weeks, and maybe longer" to implement the evacuation "depending on the situation on the ground." According to the same sources, "the US side said it is an unrealistic estimate."

Two of the three sources quoted one of the US representatives saying a "planned and adequately thought-out evacuation could take up to four months."

Moreover, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan warned the Israelis that in the next few weeks, the "Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) organization could issue a famine declaration for Gaza," Axios reported, citing two sources. Sullivan told the Israelis that if that happens it would be only the "third such declaration in the 21st century." In response, the Israelis said they don't agree Gaza is on the "verge of famine."

The US also proposed initial ideas for an alternative approach to an Israeli operation in Rafah, according to two sources. The proposal included "isolating Rafah from the rest of the Gaza Strip, securing the Egypt-Gaza border, focusing on targeting senior Hamas commanders in the city, and conducting intelligence-based raids."

Despite the disagreements and growing tension between the two allies, Axios learned that the meeting was "businesslike and constructive, and despite their differences, both sides held a serious discussion with an aim of reaching an understanding and not just talking past each other."

Israel had previously agreed to send an in-person delegation to the US for discussions Rafah, frustrated Netanyahu canceled the trip after the United States declined last week to veto a UN Security Council cease-fire resolution.