Israel Makes Gains In Rafah

Israeli forces made significant headway into the Gaza Strip city of Rafah this week following preparation for an attack on the last significant location held by the Hamas terrorist organization. The news came as the United States increased pressure on Israel not to launch a military operation in the city.

Tanks of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were reportedly in the center of the city earlier this week. The seizure came as Israel surrounded much of the city, including a crucial border crossing with Egypt.

The tanks appeared to show significant progress of the IDF forces in the city, which could hold the key to the end of the war.

It is unclear what the end of the operation could look like or whether or not the move marks the beginning of the final attack.

The government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under increasing pressure domestically to complete the attack on Rafah. The war unity government may break apart amid reports that several parties are looking to form a working majority.

The White House also condemned a recent Israeli strike in the city that killed two major Hamas leaders. The airstrike also killed a number of civilians.

The Biden administration faced further pressure this week regarding its Gaza policy. The pier set up by the White House partially crashed, and two vessels supporting it were beached. The $325 million pier was part of a plan announced by President Joe Biden as a means of sending humanitarian aid to Gaza.

U.S. Defense Officials revealed today that after a Severe Storm this Weekend off the Coast of the Gaza Strip; a Large Section of the U.S. Army’s Temporary-Floating Pier has “Broken Away” and Drifted down the Coast, with other Sections of the Pier having Partially Sunk in Shallow… pic.twitter.com/lFlLec3NY5

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 28, 2024

Furthermore, the president is under increasing pressure politically. Some within his own party argue that he has been too supportive of Israel, sparking an anti-Biden effort.

In addition, Israel’s actions in Rafah appear to violate Biden’s “red line” comments regarding a possible attack on the city made earlier this year. The president partially walked back those comments.

However, Biden also said that he delayed a munitions shipment to Israel and threatened to withhold weapons if Israel launched an attack on Gaza.