Rafah, along with the other major cities in Gaza that were hubs of Hamas activities, should have been dealt with in the early weeks of the war while Israel still enjoyed international support. Instead, Netanyahu chose a gradual deployment of forces starting from northern Gaza, that made its way south very slowly. All the while international patience was running out. The result is that slow and hesitant decision making at the top of government may well have compromised the IDF’s military achievements. 

Israel’s next moves will be determined by Hamas’s response to this new deal suggested by Egypt. A positive reply from the terror group will delay any operation in Rafah, but it could collapse Israel’s government. A negative reply means that Netanyahu will face the difficult decision of whether to launch an operation into Rafah despite American reservations. The first option is bad for Netanyahu. The second is bad for Israel.