The Chief of Staff inside Gaza: "There are areas we were in - and we returned to them with better intelligence" / IDF Spokesman
Chief of Staff Hertzi Halevi and Shin Bet chief Ronan Bar visited Cairo last week, and met with their Egyptian counterparts to convey a message that Israel will take steps to ensure that the Rafah operation does not lead to an influx of Palestinian refugees to Sinai - reports reporter Barak Ravid on the Axios website, citing American officials.
Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet Chief Ronan Bar/official website, Shin Bet Communications
why is it important:
The unusual visit is a sign that Israel attaches the greatest importance to the security relationship with Egypt.
Senior Israeli officials say that close coordination with Egypt is a prerequisite for any Israeli military action in Rafah.
The White House is very concerned that a possible Israeli operation in Rafah - where over a million Palestinians are concentrated - would lead to a humanitarian disaster and the death of thousands of innocent civilians.
The American administration is also very concerned that an Israeli operation in Rafah will result in tens of thousands of Palestinians fleeing to Egyptian territory.
The Egyptians warned that such a scenario would lead to a rupture in relations with Israel.
More in Walla!
The breakthroughs, the treatments and what does the future hold?
Everything you need to know about diabetes
In collaboration with Sanofi
Ruins in Rafah/Reuters
In the news center:
On Sunday, the IDF presented to the War Cabinet the operation plan for action in Rafah as well as the plan for evacuating the population from the city. Senior Israeli officials say that the intention is to evacuate the population from Rafah to the areas north of Khan Yunis and south of Wadi Gaza.
Behind the Scenes:
Senior American officials told Axios that the Chief of Staff and the head of the Shin Bet met with the head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamal, and with senior officials in the Egyptian army, and discussed with them the possible operation of the IDF in Rafah.
According to the American officials, Halevi and Bar presented ideas to Egypt on how to carry out an Israeli military operation in Rafah in a way that would prevent the escape of tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees to Egyptian territory.
Displaced Palestinians in Rafah/Reuters
What they say:
Prime Minister Netanyahu said in an interview with CBS on Sunday that a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas would delay an Israeli operation in Rafah, but stressed that Israel is determined to carry out such a military operation in the future.
Netanyahu emphasized that Egypt "knows very well" that Israel does not plan to push the Palestinian residents of Rafah to Sinai, and emphasized that this will not be the result of an Israeli military operation in the city.
"We coordinate. We talk to the Egyptians all the time. I don't think there is a problem. Peace between Israel and Egypt serves the interests of both countries and it will continue to serve the interests of both countries. I don't think the peace agreement is in danger," Netanyahu said.
The IDF spokesman and the Shin Bet refused to comment.
More on the same topic:
Ronan Bar
The head of the Shin Bet
Hertzi Halevi
the chief of staff
War of Iron Swords
Gaza war
Rafih
Gaza Strip
Egypt