Why Does Israel Claim Rafah Is Vital to Take Over?

As Israeli forces entered the eastern edge of Rafah in the southmost part of the Gaza Strip on May 6, over 100,000 Palestinians were fleeing to the al-Mawasi area west of Khan Younis.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, has long been committed to invading Rafah despite international pressure. According to him, an invasion is necessary to force Hamas into negotiations through “military pressure” and achieve the stated goals of the war.

Unclear Goals and Political Consensus

Despite the consensus among Israeli officials, the actual goals of the invasion remain unclear. Analysts argue that the true aim of the Rafah invasion might be to finish the ethnic cleansing of Gaza or perhaps presage future attacks to restore a sense of deterrence shattered on October 7.

Lack of Evidence for Claimed Goals

The Israeli claims that the last of Hamas's remaining fighters are in Rafah and that such an invasion would force Hamas into negotiations do not hold up under scrutiny. Hamas has continued its operations and has even agreed to a U.S.-backed deal that includes a prisoners' exchange with Egypt and Qatar.

Displacement and Military Superiority

Displacement of Palestinians has been a significant concern throughout the current conflict. Egypt has refused to admit thousands of displaced Palestinians, while the UN has announced it will not take part in evacuations. Meanwhile, Israel has refused to return displaced Palestinians to their homes in the north of the Strip, with some Israeli settler groups supporting resettlement with government support.

Khaled Odetallah, a lecturer on colonial studies and founder of Palestine's Popular University project, suggests that the invasion of Rafah is a way for Israel to "retreat forward." Odetallah argues that the entire Israeli political establishment is committed to the invasion, and the only point of difference is the timing and the inclusion of a prisoner swap.

Odetallah explains that the true nature of the Israeli involvement in this conflict is driven by fears that the military performance might determine the future of the Zionist experiment, especially following the devastating blow to its deterrence on October 7. He argues that the displacement of Palestinians and the projection of military superiority are essential parts of Israel's self-definition.

The international community, including the United States, has reacted to the invasion. The U.S. has put a shipment of offensive arms to Israel on hold. Odetallah suggests that the U.S. is more interested in promoting Israeli-Arab normalization deals, particularly with Saudi Arabia, rather than ending the current war.

However, Odetallah believes that the situation is challenging for the Zionist entity. He predicts that the war will continue in various forms, extending beyond Gaza to Lebanon and even the West Bank, indicating a commitment to sustained conflict.

The Israeli invasion of Rafah is not just about achieving short-term military goals; it is a broader strategy to reinforce the Zionist project and ensure Israel's continued dominance. The conflict shows that without a restoration of previous security and superiority, Israel is likely to rely on continued conflict and displacement.