Biden’s Warning Over Rafah Sharpens a Problem for Netanyahu
New York TimesMay 09
Israeli Forces Enter Rafah's Shakoush Neighborhood
Image copyright: Amir Levy/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Israeli forces reportedly pushed deeper into Rafah on Friday, entering the city's Shakoush neighborhood, with displaced Palestinians fleeing the area. Residents and Hamas-affiliated media said people were seeking refuge in Khan Younis, with health officials saying at least 11 people were killed.
Meanwhile, according to the UN's primary agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), garbage and sewage across Gaza, in addition to a lack of clean drinking water and the summer heat, could accelerate the spread of disease.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Israel must be able to defend itself from terrorist attacks from Gaza or elsewhere, and the US is committed to preventing malicious actors from threatening Israel's legitimate concerns. However, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has gotten out of hand, and Washington's red lines are clear. Netanyahu must be willing to work with the US and its allies to find a resolution to this conflict.
Pro-Israel narrative
The only reason there is a difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza is because of Hamas. Though Israel probably should have made a stronger effort to get aid into the strip at the beginning of the war, in recent months, it has gone out of its way to try to improve the humanitarian situation. However, Hamas keeps intercepting aid convoys and purposefully worsening the situation.
Pro-Palestine narrative
It should be clear after almost nine months of grinding brutality that Israel's true goal is to destroy Gaza. Israel has systematically destroyed all of Gaza's critical infrastructure, creating a wasteland of disease, thirst, and starvation. Though food and water are entering the strip, it is nearly impossible to distribute because Israel has systematically targeted aid workers and created a state of utter insecurity. Israel must end its genocidal campaign.
Narrative D
Hezbollah and the regional resistance continue to demonstrate their military capabilities. Ultimately, the resistance's primary goal is to end the war in Gaza, not start a far larger regional conflict. However, Israel's genocidal actions and constant threats may indicate that a larger war is coming. Indeed, Hezbollah is ready to defend Lebanon.
