Israel continues to show readiness to accept Rafah control although this causes distancing from the USa senior Israeli official said Thursday, describing Gaza City, filled with refugees, as Hamas’s last stronghold where a quarter of the group’s fighters are located.

The prospect of an assault on Rafah with tanks and troops worries Washington as no plan to resettle more than a million Palestinians who took refuge there after being displaced to other parts of the Gaza Strip during the five-month war.

First Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has in the past committed itself to guaranteeing civil evacuation and humanitarian aid, measures that top Israeli advisers are planning White House debate In the coming days, at the request of the American President Joe Biden.

“We are quite confident that we can do it in an efficient way, not only in the military, but also in the humanitarian aspect. And they have less confidence that we can do it,” said Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermerone of the Israeli envoys, on the Call Me Back with Dan Senor podcast.

Dermer, a former ambassador to the United States, said Israel would listen to American ideas regarding Rafah, but the city on Gaza’s border with Egypt It will be accepted regardless of whether the allies reach an agreement or not.

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“This will happen even if Israel is forced to fight alone.. Even if the whole world, including the United States, turns against Israel, we will fight until we win the battle.”

As fighting raged in northern Gaza, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinkenvisited Cairo negotiate with Arab officials on a ceasefire proposal. Israel is open to a truce, but ruled out ending the war as long as Hamas remains in power.

Dermer said withdrawing support from Iran-backed Islamists would attract open attacks on Israel from across the region: “And that is why the determination to end them is so strong, even if it leads to a possible break with the United States.”

Although the Biden administration supports Israel’s military goals, it is appalled increase in civilian casualties Palestinians.

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The attack resulted in almost deaths 32 thousand PalestiniansAccording to him Ministry of Health Gaza, without ensuring a breakdown of civilians and combatants. Hamas killed 1200 people in Israel on October 7. and abducted 253 people, according to Israeli estimates.

Israel claims to have killed, captured or dispersed enough Hamas militants to disband 18 of 24 battalionsand 252 Israeli soldiers were killed during the operation.

Hamas has not disclosed details of its losses or deployments. and crossed out exaggerated Estimates of Israel. However, Palestinian rocket fire dropped sharply as most of Gaza is captured by Israeli forces. As well as Israel’s military losses.

Dermer said it was four intact Hamas battalions in Rafahreinforced by fighters who left other parts of Gaza, which amounted to 25% of the group’s pre-war strength.

“We’re not going to leave a quarter of them in place.”, he claimed. “We are going to enter Rafah because we have to (…) And I think people don’t understand that October 7 is an existential moment for Israel.”

(Reuters)