Gallant rats out Netanyahu to US: No Rafah invasion date has been set

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Axios
9 Apr 2024 22:27
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Axios reports that Gallant told the US Defense Secretary that "Israel" is yet to formulate crucial steps for the invasion of Rafah.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (R) is greeted by Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant in "Tel Aviv," October 13, 2023 (AP)

Just one day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the date of the Rafah invasion had been set, Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant informed the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin that the occupation entity had not yet set a date for the attack on the city bordering Egypt, Axios reported on Tuesday.

A recent report by the Palestinian Health Ministry revealed that, since October 7, the genocidal Israeli war has killed over 33,000 Palestinians, most of whom were women and children.

For the past weeks, Washington has been demanding from "Israel" a feasible plan for an attack on Rafah, which puts a priority on civilian lives, as public and international on the United States has been constantly growing over the genocidal Israeli war on Gaza and the US' constant supply of weapons to the entity.

"This victory requires entry into Rafah and the elimination of the terrorist battalions there. It will happen. There is a date," the prime minister said on Monday.

Netanyahu's announcement was criticized by the White House, claiming that it remains against a ground offensive on Rafah without a clear plan to protect civilians. France, the UK, and other world countries have shared the US' point of view.

The occupation entity and the United States held a closed video call last week to discuss the possible attack. However, the Israeli plan was deemed by Washington as insufficient, primarily since it did not specify the duration it would take to evacuate the people from Rafah, Axios said.

Israeli officials told Axios that, despite Netanyahu's claims that a date has been decided on, they haven't been given any orders to proceed with the plan.

Gallant informed Austin that "Israel" must complete several crucial tasks before starting the invasion, such as safely evacuating the population and increasing humanitarian aid, Axios added citing its source.

Secretary of State Tony Blinken said on Tuesday that the entity hasn't informed Washington about a date for the Rafah attack. Blinken added that the United States is rather discussing with Israelis "alternative and more effective" to move forward with the offensive.

Additionally, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that Netanyahu did not notify the White House of any date.

"If he has a date he hasn't shared it with us," he said in a Tuesday press briefing.

The advisor also told reporters that the US and Israelis "went into specifics regarding" the attack during their recent video call.

"The Israelis understand our concerns and our concerns continue. We haven't seen and executable humanitarian plan regarding Rafah", he said.

An Israeli delegation is expected to visit Washington next week to discuss the invasion of Rafah with US officials, Blinken said.