Rafah invasion is to prevent Netanyahu's fall: Israeli media
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Israeli officials express their concern over the Rafah invasion and the US statements regarding weapon suspension to "Israel."
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Israeli occupation forces overlook the Gaza Strip from a tank, as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 (AP)
Israeli Reserve General Gadi Shamni, former head of the Gaza Division, said today that the Israeli invasion of Rafah has a political goal and that is to prevent the fall of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, as reported by Israeli media.
Speaking with Israeli i24 news as he took part in an event in occupied Bir al-Sabe, Shamni said that threats from Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are the only reason behind a Rafah invasion as they have threatened to overthrow the Israeli government if this invasion is not completed.
He stressed that sending Israeli occupation forces into a battle for the sake of achieving political goals is considered as crossing red lines emphasizing that there is no logic behind developments in Rafah.
Shamni said the worse the situation becomes the more that will pave the way for extremist views in Netanyahu's government adding that as an example, it will increase the chances of Smotrich implementing his plan of displacing the Arabs.
On US weapons suspension to "Israel"
In a related context, the former Israeli Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Dan Harel, commented on the US arms suspension to "Israel" if the Rafah operation plan expands saying that Washington wants to say that it is not with "Israel".
He said that Iran and Hezbollah liked Biden's statements this week which included banning military and political capabilities in international institutions as well as the Iron Dome emphasizing this is a very harsh situation.
Harel also said that the Americans are telling Israelis that when they are in the well, they should stop digging, however, what "Israel" is doing in Rafah is actually deepening the well further.
In addition, Former head of the Israeli National Security Council, Eyal Hulata told Israeli Channel 12 that these statements by Biden should worry "Israel" as it is without a doubt an indication that US patience regarding the war on Gaza is running out.
'Israel' decides to expand Rafah invasion amid international outrage
The Israeli war cabinet on May 10 approved an expansion of the Israeli Occupation Forces' area of invasion in the southern Gaza city, Axios reports.
This decision occurred despite US President Joe Biden's recent statement warning that if "Israel" were to invade Rafah, where over a million displaced Palestinians seek refuge, the US would cease supplying artillery shells, bombs for fighter jets, and other offensive weapons.
Sources familiar with the details told Axios that the expansion of military operations is "measured" and intends to address alleged security concerns without crossing Biden's declared "red line."
Other sources however suggest that the approved expansion may include actions that could be viewed by the US as violating Biden's ultimatum.
The cabinet further directed the Israeli team engaged in negotiations for an exchange deal to persist in their efforts, the sources added.
The Israeli regime claims that Rafah serves as a stronghold for the Palestinian resistance to justify its increased military presence in the area.
Extremist ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich voted against the decision to stop the invasion. Instead, they advocated for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt negotiations and initiate a full-scale invasion of Rafah, as per the sources.
