US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is not expected to participate in upcoming conversations with Israeli officials about Rafah in Washington, DC, according to the State Department. Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel suggested that the talks will be at more of a working level.
Patel mentioned on Wednesday that the State Department will be deeply engaged in the discussions regarding Rafah, emphasizing that the talks are not anticipated to involve Secretary Blinken directly. However, Patel assured that the Department is actively involved in addressing the issue.
Reports indicate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's close confidant Ron Dermer and Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi are set to travel to DC for discussions with US officials. Dermer, a member of Israel’s war cabinet and former ambassador to the United States, is expected to be part of the delegation engaging in talks about the situation in Rafah.
The US has been urging Israel to clarify its plans for ensuring the safety of over 1 million Palestinians seeking refuge in southern Gaza, amid Israeli warnings of a potential military offensive in Rafah. The concern over the protection of civilians in the region has prompted questions about potential US assistance to Israel in safeguarding the population.
When asked about the possibility of providing resources to Israel for protecting civilians in Rafah, Patel did not rule out the option. He indicated that discussions with Israeli officials would help determine the extent of US involvement in addressing the security concerns in the region.
