The possibility of a full-scale operation in Rafah is still under consideration, but experts explain its strategic importance for Israel and the main challenges it could pose
Rafah is the only city in the Gaza Strip that is not occupied by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), making it Hamas’ only stronghold in the area. The Israel Defense Forces occupied the Rafah border on Thursday in what Washington described as a limited operation, but the possibility of a full-scale operation remains on the table despite international tensions. Israeli authorities claim this is critical to dismantling Hamas’ military and government infrastructure.
“The entry into Rafah fulfills two of the main objectives of the war: the return of hostages and the elimination of Hamas,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement released by his office on Tuesday night. . Prime Minister Netanyahu added that Hamas’ ceasefire proposal “is far from meeting Israel’s necessary requirements.”
Amid ceasefire talks in Cairo, Hamas on Monday announced acceptance of a revised ceasefire agreement proposed by the group. But Israel argues that the changes to the terms of the agreement do not meet its needs. Still, Israel sent a negotiating team to Cairo to try to reach an agreement that meets Israel’s conditions.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant visited IDF troops stationed in Rafah on Tuesday and said operations were underway. “This will continue until we eliminate Hamas in the Rafah region and throughout the country.” [Gaza] Strip or until the first prisoner returns. ”
According to Brigadier General Yossi Kupelwasser (Less), Director of the Middle East Regional Development Project at the Jerusalem Public Affairs Center, former Director of the Israeli Ministry of Strategic Affairs, and Director of Research at the Israel Defense Forces Military Intelligence Directorate, Operation Rafah is the last stronghold of Hamas. It is especially important for achieving war objectives.
If we want to defeat Hamas, we must defeat it in Rafah just as we have done in other parts of the Gaza Strip.
“If we want to defeat Hamas, we have to defeat it in Rafah just as we have done in other parts of the Gaza Strip,” he told The Media Line, adding that while this is not enough, it is necessary. He added that this is a very important step. Defeat Hamas.
Strategic importance of Operation Rafah
Kupelwasser argues that strategically, Rafah is the most important part of the Gaza Strip for the IDF to control. Because it serves as a gateway to the world of Hamas. “They can bring in all kinds of weapons and anything else they need as long as they control it,” he said.
Professor Ephraim Inbar, director of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic and Security Studies, added:The IDF operation that captured the Rafah crossing significantly undermines Hamas’ control over the Gaza Strip, as the strip is constantly used to strengthen the organization’s military capabilities.
Inbar told Media Line that while this greatly limits Hamas’s smuggling capabilities, tunnels remain along the Philadelphia Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border. These tunnels need to be destroyed to completely stop Hamas from smuggling weapons and supplies.
In addition to Rafah being Hamas’ last stronghold and gateway to the world, Kupelwasser believes operations in Rafah are critical to Israel’s deterrence.
This is a message not only for Hamas but also for the entire region.
“They thought they could win and stop Israel before it reached the entire Gaza Strip. This is a message not just to Hamas, but to the entire region,” Kuperwasser continued. He pointed out that the complete destruction of Hamas’s military infrastructure was a commitment Israel made immediately after the October 7 terrorist attack.
He noted that Operation Rafah would take time and required the Israel Defense Forces to act gradually and carefully to minimize civilian suffering and casualties.
Inbar said such an operation could take months to complete. “Compare it to what happened in the West Bank in 2002. It took Israel several years to crush the terrorist infrastructure,” he continued.
Challenges Israel will encounter
The deepening of Operation Rafah will pose several challenges for Israel both militarily and strategically.
Inbal believes the main challenge will likely be international criticism and pressure. ““We have seen Americans express their displeasure and tell me they will reconsider supplying weapons,” he said.
Kuperwasser agreed, warning that despite Israel’s lack of American support for the operation, the Jewish state must carry out the operation in a way that takes into account Washington’s concerns.
Additionally, Kuperwasser believes that Israel needs to carry out operations in a way that does not cause direct tension between Israel and Egypt. “We have to make sure that no one enters Egypt. Egyptians are on the border to prevent that from happening, but we also have to take these things into account during operations.”
Militarily speaking, Hamas’ tunnel infrastructure along the Philadelphia Corridor is certainly a challenge, he says.
“Militarily speaking, Hamas has had plenty of time to improve its defensive posture in Rafah,” Kupelwasser added. “They brought in more people, they brought in more equipment. The surgery is not expected to be easy.”
He warned that while Israel is in Rafah, all actors in the world who oppose the IDF’s operation to seize Rafah will put pressure on Israel on the American side. “We should probably expect more terrorist attacks from the Houthis and Hezbollah, more challenges from Iraqi militias subordinate to Iran, and more challenges directly from Iran,” Kuperwasser said. “Iran’s power will also increase to some extent,” he added. Student protests in support of Hamas around the world. ”
It is essential to put the necessary pressure on Hamas to reconsider its position regarding hostages and to recognize that it may need to show some flexibility.
Regarding the hostages and the possibility of a release agreement, Kuperwasser maintains that Operation Rafah is the only way to improve Israel’s position in negotiations. But he argues that Washington’s opposition to Operation Rafah weakens Israel’s position in the negotiations.
“It is essential to put the necessary pressure on Hamas to reconsider its position regarding hostages and to make it realize that it may need to show some flexibility,” he continued.
