Sullivan: A Major Ground Operation In Rafah Would Be "A Mistake"

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has told reporters that President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today that Israel has, "a right to go after Hamas," but took the strongest position yet against a major ground operation in Rafah.

• Sullivan says that Biden noted a serious degradation of humanitarian conditions within Gaza in areas that Israel has "cleared but not stabilised."
• Sullivan says that the US has learned from their own military experiences that, "a military plan cannot succeed without an integrated humanitarian plan and political plan."
• Sullivan said: "The President has repeatedly made the point that continuing military operations have to be connected to a clear strategic endgame... The President told the PM again today that we share the goal of defeating Hamas but we just believe you need a coherent and sustainable strategy to make that happen."
• Sullivan says that Israel is "now talking about" launching another major military operation in Rafah without adequately stabilising the areas of Gaza that have already been cleared.
• Sullivan says Biden and Netanyahu "spoke at length about Rafah," and Biden "explained why he is so deeply concerned," about the operation.
• Sullivan says that Israel has not presented a plan on how to safeguard civilians and a major ground operation "would be a mistake" which would "deepen the anarchy" in Gaza and "further isolate Israel internationally." Sullivan also suggests that the operation may cause Egypt to withdraw support for Israel.
• Sullivan notes that ceasefire negotiations in Qatar remain "live" and should be achievable.