WASHINGTON – The United States believes a major military operation in Rafah would weaken Israel’s position in hostage talks with Palestinian Hamas, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.
Washington continues to engage with Israel on amendments to a ceasefire proposal submitted by Hamas, Miller said according to Reuters.
Miller added that work was ongoing to finalize the text of an agreement but that work was “incredibly difficult.”
“Our view is any kind of major Rafah ground operation would actually strengthen Hamas’ hands at the negotiating table, not Israel´s,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said according to AP.
Kirby added that more civilian deaths in Rafah from an Israeli offensive would give more ammunition to Hamas’ “twisted narrative” about Israel.
