The White House is making arrangements for an in-person meeting with senior officials from Israel next week to discuss potential military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. This decision comes after a virtual meeting earlier this week.
During a briefing on Wednesday, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby mentioned that efforts are being made to schedule the in-person meeting for next week. The previous virtual meeting, held on Monday, involved discussions about the situation in Rafah. US officials presented alternative strategies to their Israeli counterparts, aiming to avoid a major ground operation in southern Gaza.
Following the conclusion of Monday's meeting, a US official stated that the Biden administration did not anticipate a breakthrough. The White House views this meeting as part of an ongoing series of discussions regarding the possibility of an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah.
The meeting on Monday lasted over two-and-a-half hours and included key US officials such as national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer, and White House Middle East adviser Brett McGurk.
It is important to note that a previously scheduled meeting was canceled by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the US refused to block a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas. This incident underscores the underlying tensions between Israel and its strongest ally, the United States.
