Shin Bet, IDF Chief Assure Egyptians of Advance Warning on Rafah Offensive

February 27, 2024

by: Yossi Yehushua ~ Ynetnews

Tuesday, 27 February 2024 | Shin Bet [Israel Security Agency] chief Ronen Bar and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visited Cairo last week to assure officials that they would not be surprised by any Israeli action in Rafah, American officials said on Monday.

The two men told the Egyptians that the war against Hamas cannot be completed without dealing with the Gaza Strip’s most southern city, which is on the Egyptian border. Their visit came after threats that the Israeli–Egyptian peace agreement could be harmed or even suspended.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in interviews on American television Sunday that he had already presented the military plans of attack and that he would convene the cabinet to approve them, including the plans to relocate civilians out of the city to avoid harm to them and further tensions with Egypt.

Israel and the Egyptians must also coordinate the construction of an underground barrier along the Rafah border to prevent future smuggling of weapons to Hamas.

An Egyptian official warned recently against the continued war during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan [one of the Five Pillars of Islam when stringent disciplines are observed], which begins next month. He said fighting in Rafah during the holiday would impact not only Israel but the entire region, which is already on the cusp of the eruption of violence.

Posted on February 27, 2024

Source: (This article was originally published by Ynenews on February 26, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today. See original article at this link.)

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