Jerusalem -
Israel is determined to launch a ground offensive against Hamas in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost town, a plan that has raised global alarm because of the potential for harm to the hundreds of thousands of civilians sheltering there.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel can鈥檛 achieve its goal of 鈥渢otal victory鈥 against Hamas without tackling Rafah.
Israel has approved military plans for its offensive. But with 1.4 million Palestinians jammed into the town, Israel's allies, including the U.S., have demanded greater care for civilians in its anticipated incursion.
Most of those Palestinians have been displaced by fighting in other parts of Gaza and are living in densely packed tent camps or crammed into apartments.
Netanyahu is sending a delegation to Washington to present the administration with its plans.
Why Rafah is so critical
Since Israel declared war in response to Hamas' deadly cross-border attack on Oct. 7, Netanyahu has said a central goal is to destroy the Islamic group's military capabilities.
Israel says Rafah is Hamas鈥 last major stronghold in the Gaza Strip, after operations elsewhere dismantled 18 out of the militant group鈥檚 24 battalions, according to the military.
Israel says Hamas has four battalions in Rafah and that it must send ground forces to topple them. Some senior militants could also be hiding in the town.
Why there is so much opposition to Israel's plan
The U.S. has urged Israel not to carry out the operation without a 鈥渃redible鈥 plan to evacuate civilians. Egypt, a strategic partner of Israel's, has said that any move to push Palestinians into Egypt would threaten its four-decade-old peace agreement with Israel.
In a phone call with Netanyahu this week, U.S. President Joe Biden told the Israeli leader not to carry out a Rafah operation, said the White House's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan. He said the U.S. was seeking 鈥渁n alternative approach鈥 that did not involve a ground invasion.
Israel doesn't appear close to sending in troops
Netanyahu said he was sending a delegation to Washington 鈥渙ut of respect鈥 for Biden. But in a statement Wednesday, he said he had told Biden that Israel 鈥渃annot complete the victory鈥 without entering Rafah.
Despite the tough talk, Israel doesn't appear close to sending troops into Rafah. This may be connected to ongoing attempts to broker a temporary cease-fire. Qatari mediators say those talks would be set back by a Rafah invasion.
There are also logistical concerns.
Israel鈥檚 military says it plans to direct the civilians to 鈥渉umanitarian islands鈥 in central Gaza ahead of the planned offensive. Netanyahu said Wednesday evacuation plans had not yet been approved.