US, 'Israel' expected to hold virtual meeting on Rafah Monday: Axios
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A senior Israeli official tells Axios that a second meeting, in person, is scheduled to take place as soon as next week.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers his speech after a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in occupied al-Quds, on Sunday, March 17, 2024. (AP)
The United States and "Israel" on Monday are anticipated to meet virtually for talks on the Biden administration's alternative proposals concerning an Israeli military invasion of Rafah, Axios reported citing four Israeli and American officials.
Originally scheduled for last week, the meeting has become a source of contention between Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Biden.
Following the US decision last week not to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution urging a ceasefire in Gaza, Netanyahu canceled the meeting in protest.
The Biden administration expressed concerns that an invasion of Rafah, home to over 1 million Palestinians seeking shelter, could result in extensive casualties and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Repeatedly, Netanyahu's closest advisor, Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, urged the premier in recent days to dispatch the delegation to Washington to mitigate escalating tensions with Biden, Axios mentioned.
The new website cited senior Israeli officials suggesting the virtual meeting allows Netanyahu to "save face" and engage in discussions with the White House on Rafah without sending a delegation to the United States.
According to Israeli and American officials, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will lead the US side in the meeting, which will see the participation of representatives from the Pentagon, State Department, and US intelligence agencies.
Dermer and Netanyahu's national security advisor Tzachi Hanegbi are expected to lead the Israeli delegation, with senior Israeli security and intelligence officials also participating.
A senior Israeli official told Axios that a second in-person meeting is scheduled to take place as soon as next week.
Netanyahu said in a press conference on Sunday that he had approved the Israeli occupation military's operational plan for Rafah. It marked the fourth time in the past two months that he has announced approving the plans.
"This will take time but it will be done. We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there for one simple reason: There is no victory without entering Rafah and there is no victory without eliminating the Hamas battalions there," he added.
Netanyahu also reiterated that he has not yet authorized the departure of an Israeli delegation to Washington to address the Rafah invasion, adding that Israel "will find a way to discuss this" with the Biden administration.
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