Per an Axios report, on Thursday night the Israeli Security Cabinet approved the “expansion of the area of operation” of the IDF in Rafah.
Sources familiar with the plan said this expansion would only be a “measured expansion”, designed to not cross President Biden’s stated boundaries for Israel to operate in Rafah.
However, the approved operational expansion will include certain actions that could nevertheless be interpreted by the U.S. as violations, and the Israel will continue negotiating to try and reach a hostage deal.
Israel will try to formulate a new initiative that could lead to a negotiaton breakthrough, a decision apposed by Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir.
