Above photo: Evan Vucci/AP.
Israel’s allies have expressed fear that an Israeli response could trigger unprecedented regional escalation.
Washington has greenlighted Israeli plans for an invasion of Gaza’s southern city of Rafah in exchange for Israel limiting its response to the Iranian operation last weekend, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.
“The American administration showed acceptance of the occupation’s plan regarding the operation in Rafah in exchange for not carrying out a large-scale attack against Iran,” Egyptian sources told the outlet.
According to the sources, Egyptian forces and agencies are “at full readiness” in northern Sinai and along the Egyptian border with Gaza as part of a plan “to deal with the scenario of preparation for the repeated Israeli announcements of an [upcoming] invasion of the city of Rafah.”
The increased readiness came after “contacts from the Israeli side” relating to preparations for the operation in the southern city, which Israel claims is Hamas’ final stronghold.
“The Israeli plan relies on the method of displacement, by dividing Rafah into numbered squares, so that one square after another is targeted, prompting those in it to move away from it, specifically towards Khan Yunis and the Al-Mawasi area,” the sources added.
The sources said camps run by the Egyptian Red Crescent are already present in the city of Khan Yunis and are being expanded, coinciding with an increase of humanitarian aid to these areas in coordination with Israel.
The first two Egyptian Red Crescent camps in Khan Yunis were set up in January, and are capable of accommodating thousands of Palestinians, according to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. Egyptian authorities have been working to establish a third camp.
Prior to the Iranian operation against Israel, Washington had been trying to mold Israel’s planned operation in Rafah into more limited incursions rather than a full-scale assault, citing concerns for over one million Palestinians besieged there. On Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held an assessment on “necessary civilian operations” that need to be taken ahead of the Israeli attack on the city, in line with US pressure to secure a plan for the safe evacuation of civilians from Rafah.
According to what an informed western diplomat told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, “Netanyahu was able, through political maneuvering, to obtain American [acceptance] for the [planned] military operation in Rafah, which had not been welcomed by the United States, in exchange for retreating from carrying out a large-scale military operation against Iran.”
Iran has vowed a tenfold response to Israel should it retaliate to the hundreds of drones and missiles launched at Israel on 13 April, which came as a response to an attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus at the start of the month.
Israel’s allies have expressed major concern over Tel Aviv’s plans for a response – which they fear could result in an unprecedented regional escalation.