Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser comments on Israel’s possible invasion of Rafah

NPR’s Scott Simon talks about the war in Gaza with Ophir Falk, a foreign policy adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

President Biden says he’s had recent extensive conversations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and he’s urging Israel to hold off on plans to send troops to Gaza’s most crowded area. First, reach a deal with Hamas for temporary cease-fire to get hostages out.

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PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: In the meantime, I don’t anticipate – I’m hoping that the Israelis will not make any massive land invasion in the meantime. So it’s my expectation that’s not going to happen.

SIMON: President speaking at the White House yesterday. Ophir Falk is a foreign policy adviser to Prime Minister Netanyahu. He joins us now. Mr. Falk, thanks so much for being with us.

OPHIR FALK: Thanks for having me, Scott.

SIMON: Is President Biden correct in what he anticipates? There’s not going to be a major offensive in Rafah until there’s a pause in the fighting and the release of hostages?

FALK: Well, the Prime Minister has made it clear, along with the war cabinet, what our war objectives are. The entire – in the state of Israel, the entire state of Israel, the government and the war cabinet are fully united behind these goals. It’s to destroy Hamas, to free our hostages and to make sure that Gaza doesn’t pose a threat to Israel ever again. Now, we have been able to free 112 hostages so far, including two hostages last week in a heroic special forces rescue operation. There are still 130 hostages being held by Hamas, the genocidal terrorist organization. And we will get them out. We will get out – we’ll get these hostages out.

SIMON: Well, but is the president correct in his expectation? Can you say there’s not going to be a major offensive in Rafah until there’s a deal for a pause in the fighting and the release of hostages?

FALK: Well, I can’t get into specifics about our…