The US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said this evening from Cairo that a large-scale Israeli military operation in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, would be a “mistake”, expressing his belief that a ceasefire agreement between the Israelis and Hamas was “possible”.

“The gap narrowed” in the negotiations taking place in Doha, where Israel’s intelligence chief will meet his CIA counterpart on Friday. “If it is difficult to reach (a deal), it is always possible,” he assured.

“There are better ways to handle her threat Hamas“, he also estimated, judging a land invasion in Rafa, on the border with Egyptwhere nearly 1.5 million displaced Palestinians have gathered.

Blinken said the US had submitted a draft decision to its members UN Security Council, calling for an “immediate ceasefire linked to the release of the hostages” in Gaza. So far no discussion of this proposal or a vote in the Security Council has been scheduled.

Its Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shukri he reiterated for his part that a ceasefire and the release of hostages and prisoners is necessary after five months of war.

“Israel must not conduct any military operation in Rafah so that there are no more victims and displaced people,” said Shoukry, whose country fears a “forced movement” of Gazans into its territory.