US says Blinken to discuss need to defeat Hamas, ‘including in Rafah,’ during Israel visit

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken walks as he arrives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, March 20, 2024. (Evelyn Hockstein, Pool Photo via AP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken walks as he arrives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, March 20, 2024. (Evelyn Hockstein, Pool Photo via AP)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will discuss the need to ensure Hamas’s defeat, “including in Rafah,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller says, confirming the top American diplomat’s Friday visit to Israel.

The US came out against Israel’s plan to launch a major ground invasion in Rafah this week and is instead pushing alternative initiatives that will advance Israel’s goals without another offensive that would come at a high humanitarian cost for Palestinians who, the UN says, are facing imminent famine after over five months of war.

The Biden administration is pushing for a more limited operation in Rafah and other parts of Gaza targeting Hamas’s military leaders; the securing of the Egypt-Gaza border to prevent continued smuggling; a surge of humanitarian aid through new access points into the enclave; and the promotion of a viable, Palestinian Authority-linked alternative to Hamas rule, US officials told The Times of Israel yesterday.

Washington aims to discuss these alternative plans when an Israeli delegation comes to town early next week, but they will ostensibly be on Blinken’s agenda when he arrives in Tel Aviv on Friday.

“Blinken will [also] discuss… the ongoing negotiations to secure the release of all hostages,” Miller says in a statement.

“He will discuss the need to ensure the defeat of Hamas, including in Rafah, in a way that protects the civilian population, does not hinder the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and advances Israel’s overall security.

“The Secretary will discuss US and international efforts to dramatically increase and sustain the delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians who are suffering from a lack of adequate food supplies.”

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