US offers Israel intelligence information to avoid full-scale Rafah op. - Washington Post

The information offered by the US reportedly includes details regarding the whereabouts of Hamas leaders and the terror group's tunnels. 

 Joe Biden  (photo credit: REUTERS)
Joe Biden
(photo credit: REUTERS)

The Biden administration has offered to supply Israel with important intelligence information to avoid an extensive IDF operation in Rafah, The Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing four officials. 

According to the Post, the information offered by the US includes details regarding the whereabouts of Hamas leaders and the terror group's tunnels. 

In addition, the proposition reportedly involved the supply of shelters for the Palestinians of the Strip and US aid in building delivery mechanisms to provide water, food, and medicine for Gazans. 

 Tanks from the 401st Brigade enter eastern Rafah, May 8 2024 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Tanks from the 401st Brigade enter eastern Rafah, May 8 2024 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

US concerns over a full-scale Rafah operation 

The Post report comes amid Israel’s Rafah operation in the Gaza Strip, which began last week after the IDF had begun evacuating the civilian population from the area.

The military conducted precise strikes in the Eastern part of Rafah, after which ground troops took over the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing.

Last week, White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said during a press briefing that the US had a "long and solid relationship on the counterterrorism front with Israel, which includes intelligence-sharing."

The White House has voiced its concerns over the IDF's activities in Rafah. Last week, US President Joe Biden warned in a CNN interview that he would stop US weapon aid to Israel if the IDF would launch a large-scale operation in Rafah.

Tovah Lazaroff and Hannah Sarisohn contributed to this article.