Israel Adjusts Military Strategy in Rafah, Amidst US Discussions

[Social Media]

 

In a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Israel has made a strategic pivot concerning its military operations in the southern city of Rafah. This decision, as reported by Washington Post analyst David Ignatius, follows consultations with the United States, signifying a shift towards more restrained actions aimed at minimizing civilian casualties. The move diverges from previous plans for a large-scale offensive involving two divisions and reflects a recalibration of Israel's approach in the region.

 

According to Ignatius, discussions with unnamed officials familiar with the matter revealed that Israel has opted to forego the previous plan, which entailed sending two divisions into Rafah. Instead, operations will now adopt a more limited scope. This decision, made in consultation with Washington, is driven by the aim of reducing civilian harm, thereby garnering a more favorable international response.

 

The report suggests that the United States views these adjusted plans favorably, perceiving them as a step towards mitigating civilian casualties. Washington's tacit approval of Israel's revised strategy implies a recognition of the complexities involved in the conflict and a desire to avoid further escalation.

 

Amidst discussions of military strategy, there are also considerations regarding the "day after" scenario. Israeli defense officials, as outlined in the report, have begun envisioning the post-conflict landscape, envisioning a governance model for Gaza involving Palestinian security forces overseen by a council comprising Palestinian figures and backed by regional actors such as Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

 

However, the path to de-escalation faces potential obstacles, including the recent announcement by the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan. The issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders injects a new layer of complexity into the conflict, raising questions about the potential impact on diplomatic efforts towards resolution. There is of course the issue of Hamas to still resolve regards any future day after plans.

 

Against the backdrop of these developments, the situation on the ground remains fluid. The Israeli military estimates that approximately 950,000 Palestinians have evacuated Rafah, a testament to the urgency and scale of the conflict. While the evacuation process has been swifter than anticipated, a significant civilian population still remains in the area, underscoring the imperative of mitigating harm in any military operations.

Rafah holds strategic significance as a Hamas stronghold, with the IDF identifying it as a key location for the group's remaining battalions and rocket stockpiles. As operations proceed, the IDF faces the challenge of confronting Hamas militants while minimizing civilian casualties—a delicate balancing act that underscores the complexities of urban warfare in densely populated areas.

 

In addition to military considerations, Israel grapples with humanitarian challenges, including the closure of the Rafah Border Crossing with Egypt. The crossing, a vital lifeline for humanitarian aid, remains shuttered amidst ongoing hostilities, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Efforts to secure the crossing and ensure the resumption of aid deliveries remain paramount.

 

Credit: Times of Israel 2024-05-22

 

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[thaibeachlovers]

On 5/22/2024 at 8:38 AM, Social Media said:

This decision, made in consultation with Washington, is driven by the aim of reducing civilian harm, thereby garnering a more favorable international response.

Ah, so long as it's not too many dead children that's OK then- full steam ahead.

Considering israeli told them all to go to Rafah as a "safe place" so it became overcrowded, and now it wants to conduct an offensive in a crowded place, it's going to be acceptable if it's not as many dead Palestinians as it might have been it's hypocrisy and the US is up to it's neck in the hypocrisy. Not so long ago the US was telling israel not to go into Rafah at all, and now it's OK as long as an acceptable number of women and children are killed. Who decides what is an acceptable number of dead children?

Meanwhile the bastions of "human rights" in Europe do no more than wring their hands and say how bad it is that so many women and children are dead, but it's OK because it's Hamas numbers and it's probably less, all the while sending more munitions to kill those women and children.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 5/22/2024 at 8:38 AM, Social Media said:

In addition to military considerations, Israel grapples with humanitarian challenges, including the closure of the Rafah Border Crossing with Egypt.

WHAT!!!!!!!

It's israel that has closed the crossing. That's hardly "grappling with humanitarian challenges". Israel is entirely to blame for halting the supply of aid into Gaza.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 5/22/2024 at 8:38 AM, Social Media said:

Rafah holds strategic significance as a Hamas stronghold, with the IDF identifying it as a key location for the group's remaining battalions and rocket stockpiles.

If the "remaining battalions" are in Rafah, who are the israelis fighting in North Gaza?

Also, if is actually a key location for Hamas, why did israeli forces tell Palestinians to relocate to it as a designated "safe area"?

[Njoku]

12 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

If the "remaining battalions" are in Rafah, who are the israelis fighting in North Gaza?

Also, if is actually a key location for Hamas, why did israeli forces tell Palestinians to relocate to it as a designated "safe area"?

Doesn't take Einstein to work out Hamas fighters are mixed in with the population, so its quite logical that groups are all over Gaza.

Its been shown time and time again they have stored weapons all over the place, put down your gun walk 10 miles pick up a gun and start all over...

 

Well they had to send them somewhere, me I would have thought coming in from behind at Rafah right at the beginning to cut off weapon supplies coming in from Egypt was a no brainer...but hey im no general..

[Neeranam]

The result of displacing the people for the 3rd, 4th or 5th time will mean the destruction of Rafah city. But hey ho, the Israeli government told all the civilians to leave. 

I estimate the damaged/destroyed building in the whole of Gaza will be over 80% soon. 

Could the rogue government be trying to make Gaza unlivable?

 

Nearly 2 months ago, it was estimated at 62%. 

 

The continuing conflict has damaged or destroyed approximately 62 percent of all homes in Gaza, equivalent to 290,820 housing units, and more than a million people are without homes. Housing accounts for 72 percent of the total damage costs, at an estimated value of $13.3bn.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/2/gaza-infrastructure-damages-estimated-at-18-5-bln-in-un-world-bank-report

[Nick Carter icp]

13 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

WHAT!!!!!!!

It's israel that has closed the crossing. That's hardly "grappling with humanitarian challenges". Israel is entirely to blame for halting the supply of aid into Gaza.

 

   The Israeli side to that border crossing is open, it is Egypt who have closed their side of the border crossing 

[Nick Carter icp]

13 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

If the "remaining battalions" are in Rafah, who are the israelis fighting in North Gaza?

 

 

   The answer has to be woman and children .

Isn't this war about  Israel V Palestinian woman and Children ?

[Bkk Brian]

8 hours ago, Neeranam said:

The result of displacing the people for the 3rd, 4th or 5th time will mean the destruction of Rafah city. But hey ho, the Israeli government told all the civilians to leave. 

I estimate the damaged/destroyed building in the whole of Gaza will be over 80% soon. 

Could the rogue government be trying to make Gaza unlivable?

 

Nearly 2 months ago, it was estimated at 62%. 

 

The continuing conflict has damaged or destroyed approximately 62 percent of all homes in Gaza, equivalent to 290,820 housing units, and more than a million people are without homes. Housing accounts for 72 percent of the total damage costs, at an estimated value of $13.3bn.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/2/gaza-infrastructure-damages-estimated-at-18-5-bln-in-un-world-bank-report

Have you actually read the report rather than the snippets from Al Jazeera and how it uses IPOS, social media and many remote indicators including local people to make its estimates?

 

Isn't it weird how the most recent UN satellite report gives hard photographic evidence that its 35% of all buildings destroyed or damaged? Yes more recent than the above report you are quoting.

 

35% OF BUILDINGS AFFECTED IN GAZA STRIP

https://unitar.org/about/news-stories/press/35-buildings-affected-gaza-strip

[thaibeachlovers]

14 hours ago, Neeranam said:

Could the rogue government be trying to make Gaza unlivable?

That has to be a rhetorical question!

 

Add all the hospitals and schools destroyed, the sewage system destroyed, the water infrastructure destroyed, the roads destroyed, and you know what they are up to.

 

After it's all over they'll probably have the cheek to ask other countries to pay to rebuild it.

[Nick Carter icp]

8 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

That has to be a rhetorical question!

 

Add all the hospitals and schools destroyed, the sewage system destroyed, the water infrastructure destroyed, the roads destroyed, and you know what they are up to.

 

After it's all over they'll probably have the cheek to ask other countries to pay to rebuild it.

 

  Then should Hamas pay to rebuilt the buildings they damaged on Oct 7 ?

[Robert Paulson]

You know it’s bad when even netenyahoo is saying they made mistakes. What a heinous fiasco. I really believe this is the atrocity of our lifetimes and we’re all just sitting here picking our asses. At least those college students are doing something. Those protests are working too, you know because they never break up protests that aren’t working. 

[Neeranam]

32 minutes ago, Robert Paulson said:

You know it’s bad when even netenyahoo is saying they made mistakes. What a heinous fiasco. I really believe this is the atrocity of our lifetimes and we’re all just sitting here picking our asses. At least those college students are doing something. Those protests are working too, you know because they never break up protests that aren’t working. 

It's certainly the worst atrocity I've witnessed in my lifetime; so sad watching civilians getting killed. Not only that, the total destruction of school, universities, hospitals, etc. It will take Gaza decades to recover if they ever do. One good thing - more and more countries are supporting the State of Palestine -  Spain, Ireland and Norway in the last few days. 

What can we do? 

[Yellowtail]

Just now, Neeranam said:

It's certainly the worst atrocity I've witnessed in my lifetime; so sad watching civilians getting killed. Not only that, the total destruction of school, universities, hospitals, etc. It will take Gaza decades to recover if they ever do. One good thing - more and more countries are supporting the State of Palestine -  Spain, Ireland and Norway in the last few days. 

What can we do? 

Witnessed? Watching? Too funny. 

[Wobblybob]

3 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

It's certainly the worst atrocity I've witnessed in my lifetime; so sad watching civilians getting killed. Not only that, the total destruction of school, universities, hospitals, etc. It will take Gaza decades to recover if they ever do. One good thing - more and more countries are supporting the State of Palestine -  Spain, Ireland and Norway in the last few days. 

What can we do? 

Never a mention of the Oct 7th massacres or the hostages still being held by these monsters🥴.

[Bkk Brian]

10 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

It's certainly the worst atrocity I've witnessed in my lifetime; so sad watching civilians getting killed. Not only that, the total destruction of school, universities, hospitals, etc. It will take Gaza decades to recover if they ever do. One good thing - more and more countries are supporting the State of Palestine -  Spain, Ireland and Norway in the last few days. 

What can we do? 

Oh, you have led a very blinkered life then, a bit like your your ignore list. Didn't you keep on bringing up Iraq and Syria at one time on these topics?

[Wobblybob]

7 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

It's certainly the worst atrocity I've witnessed in my lifetime; so sad watching civilians getting killed. Not only that, the total destruction of school, universities, hospitals, etc. It will take Gaza decades to recover if they ever do. One good thing - more and more countries are supporting the State of Palestine -  Spain, Ireland and Norway in the last few days. 

What can we do? 

Get the hostages released and get Hamas to surrender.

Spain, Ireland and Norway are not supporting the State of Palestine they are infact rewarding them for their horrific crimes.

[billd766]

From the BBC News website today.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-middle-east-69068028