### Netanyahu's Decision to Enter Rafah Vindicated as Hamas Leader Eliminated, Experts Say

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial decision to invade Rafah, despite warnings from U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, has been validated by the successful elimination of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the Hamas terrorist organization. Military and Middle East experts assert that the operation, carried out by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet intelligence agency, was a strategic triumph.

Israel announced on Wednesday that soldiers from the IDF's Southern Command had successfully neutralized Sinwar in the southern Gaza Strip. This achievement was lauded by both Biden and Harris, even though they had earlier cautioned Israel against such an operation. In March, Harris suggested there could be "consequences" for Israel if it went ahead with the invasion, citing concerns of escalating civilian casualties and humanitarian crises.

At the time, Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan echoed these warnings, emphasizing that a major ground offensive in Rafah would be a mistake. Biden went further in May, threatening to withhold military supplies if Israel proceeded with the operation.

Amit Segal, chief political analyst for Israel's Channel 12, told Fox News Digital that the elimination of Sinwar confirmed the necessity of continuing the war. "The entry into Rafah was not a vendetta but a strategic move to ensure that the Middle East understands the consequences of attacking Israel," Segal explained. He noted that the IDF had been pursuing Sinwar for a year in Gaza, and the recent operation marked a significant milestone.

IDF spokesmen revealed that Sinwar was in a tunnel where six hostages had been executed in August, situated only a few hundred meters from where he was eventually eliminated. The IDF also identified numerous Hamas booby-trapped buildings in the Rafah area, underscoring the challenges of the operation.

Former deputy speaker of the Knesset and decorated special forces operator, Lt. Col (res) Yoni Chetboun, emphasized that had Netanyahu adhered to Biden and Harris' warnings, Israel might never have reached Sinwar. He stressed the overwhelming support from both American and Israeli people for the operation, urging that it's time to eradicate Hamas and secure the hostages.

Harris' earlier stance prompted criticism from foreign policy experts. American-Israeli Middle East expert Caroline Glick pointed out Harris' error in threatening sanctions, highlighting Sinwar's proximity to the Egyptian border at the time of his elimination.

The U.S. and European Union's attempts to temper Israel's effort to dismantle Iranian-backed Hamas and Hezbollah have not deterred Netanyahu's plans. Josep Borrell, a key European Union figure, previously suggested reducing military aid to Israel, arguing there was no military solution to defeating Hamas.

Counterterrorism expert Max Abrahms noted that Biden and Harris' advice was driven by domestic political calculations within the Democratic Party, which has a significant anti-Israel faction. He argued that Israel's security has been bolstered by ignoring the White House's advice.

Following Sinwar's death, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller maintained that the U.S. had always supported Israel's counterterrorism operations against Hamas, offering intelligence aid for such missions.

As of now, President Biden and Vice President Harris have not responded to press queries about whether their earlier warnings regarding Rafah were mistaken.