Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged Tuesday to launch an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering from the almost 7-month-long war, as cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas appear to be gaining steam.
Quick Read
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to launch an incursion into Rafah, Gaza, with or without a cease-fire agreement with Hamas.
- Netanyahu’s statement comes as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to arrive in Israel to advance truce talks, which are described as a serious attempt to negotiate a deal between Israel and Hamas since the war began nearly 7 months ago.
- The potential deal discussed in truce talks aims to free hostages and provide relief to civilians, preventing an Israeli offensive into Rafah. However, Netanyahu insists on continuing military actions to achieve “total victory” over Hamas, which he describes as maintaining battalions in Rafah.
- Despite international warnings against an offensive in Rafah due to the high concentration of civilians there, Netanyahu faces domestic pressure from nationalist partners in his government who demand the continuation of military operations.
- The ongoing negotiations, facilitated by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, involve a proposed exchange of dozens of hostages for a temporary halt in fighting and the release of numerous Palestinian prisoners. However, disagreements persist regarding the conditions following the initial phase of any agreement.
The Associated Press has the story:
Netanyahu vows to invade Rafah ‘with or without a deal’ as cease-fire talks with Hamas continue
Newslooks- TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) —
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged Tuesday to launch an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering from the almost 7-month-long war, as cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas appear to be gaining steam.
Netanyahu’s comments came hours before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Israel to advance the truce talks — which appear to be one of the most serious rounds of negotiations between Israel and Hamas since the war began. The deal is meant to free hostages, bring some relief to the population and avert an Israeli offensive into Rafah and the potential harm to civilians there.
Speaking to a group of bereaved families and one organization representing families of hostages held by militants, Netanyahu said Israel would enter Rafah to destroy Hamas’ battalions there regardless of whether a truce-for-hostages deal was struck or not.
“The idea that we will stop the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question,” Netanyahu said, according to a statement from his office. “We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate Hamas’ battalions there — with or without a deal, to achieve the total victory.”
Netanyahu has faced pressure from his nationalist governing partners not to proceed with a deal that might prevent Israel from invading Rafah, which it says is Hamas’ last major stronghold. His government could be threatened if he agrees to a deal because hard-line Cabinet members have demanded an attack on Rafah.
But with more than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people sheltering there, the international community, including Israel’ top ally the U.S., has warned Israel against any offensive that puts civilians at risk.
It was not clear if Netanyahu’s comments were meant to appease his governing partners or whether they would have any bearing on any emerging deal with Hamas.
Netanyahu was addressing the Tikva Forum, a small group of families of hostages that’s distinct from the main group representing the families of captive Israelis that has indicated it prefers to see Hamas crushed over the freedom of their loved ones. Families and their supporters have demonstrated in the thousands every week for a deal that would bring the hostages home, saying it should take precedence over military action.
The current deal being discussed, brokered by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar, would see the release of dozens of hostages in exchange for a six-week halt in fighting as part of an initial phase, according to an Egyptian official and Israeli media. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel would also be released.
But a sticking point remains over what happens next. Hamas has demanded assurances that an eventual release of all hostages will bring a complete end to Israel’s nearly seven-month assault in Gaza and a withdrawal of its troops from the devastated territory. Israel has offered only an extended pause, vowing to resume its offensive once the first phase of the deal is over. The issue has repeatedly obstructed efforts by the mediators during months of talks.
Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected stopping the war in return for hostage releases, and says an offensive on Rafah is crucial to destroying the militants.
The Israel-Hamas war was sparked by the unprecedented Oct. 7 raid into southern Israel in which militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 hostages. Israel says the militants are still holding around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.
The war in Gaza has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. The war has driven around 80% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million from their homes, caused vast destruction in several towns and cities, and pushed northern Gaza to the brink of famine.
