Israeli officials briefed US on ‘alternative’ to full-scale Rafah assault: White House

Israeli defence officials have presented White House National Security advisor Jake Sullivan with an alternative plan for a full-scale assault on Rafah, the White House has said.

Sullivan met with Israeli lawmakers and officials on Monday, reiterating the US’s opposition to a full-scale Israeli assault on Rafah, while urging Israel to work with Egypt to reopen the Rafah border crossing.

Sullivan met Israeli leader of the opposition Yair Lapid, Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant, Chief of Defence Herzi Halevi, and War Cabinet members Benny Gantz and Gadi Eizenkot.

“Minister Gallant and General Halevi briefed Mr Sullivan on new alternative approaches to defeating Hamas in Rafah to address the concerns that have been expressed by the US side,” the White House said.

The visit was part of Sullivan’s wider travels in the region. He previously met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Biden administration hopes it can use a normalisation agreement with Saudi Arabia to end the Gaza war.