NEW DELHI: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday declared that the army would launch a floor offensive on Gaza’s far-southern Rafah metropolis, “with or with out” a truce deal is reached with Hamas. Regardless of issues raised by prime ally Washington and hours earlier than US secretary of state Antony Blinken’s arrival in Israel, Netanyahu remained agency in his stance.
“The concept we are going to halt the conflict earlier than attaining all of its objectives is out of the query,” Netanyahu instructed households of hostages nonetheless held in Gaza. He vowed to enter Rafah and get rid of Hamas battalions to realize whole victory.
“We’ll enter Rafah and we are going to get rid of the Hamas battalions there with or and not using a deal, so as to obtain the full victory,” he mentioned.
In the meantime, Hamas was contemplating a 40-day ceasefire plan and the trade of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, as proposed in Cairo talks with US, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators. The group’s envoys returned from Cairo to their base in Qatar to debate the proposal, with sources indicating that Hamas was eager to reply shortly.
Washington has elevated strain on all sides to succeed in a ceasefire, with Blinken pushing this message throughout his regional tour. The US has strongly backed Israel but additionally urged restraint in launching a floor invasion of Rafah, which is full of displaced civilians. President Joe Biden has referred to as for the discharge of hostages held by Hamas, describing it as “the one impediment” to securing aid for Gaza’s civilians.
As diplomacy continued, Israel maintained its bombardment of Gaza, with air strikes reported in Gaza Metropolis, Khan Yunis, and Rafah, in addition to in a single day artillery shelling. Palestinians in Rafah mourned the most recent victims, with youngsters being pulled from the rubble.
“The concept we are going to halt the conflict earlier than attaining all of its objectives is out of the query,” Netanyahu instructed households of hostages nonetheless held in Gaza. He vowed to enter Rafah and get rid of Hamas battalions to realize whole victory.
“We’ll enter Rafah and we are going to get rid of the Hamas battalions there with or and not using a deal, so as to obtain the full victory,” he mentioned.
In the meantime, Hamas was contemplating a 40-day ceasefire plan and the trade of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, as proposed in Cairo talks with US, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators. The group’s envoys returned from Cairo to their base in Qatar to debate the proposal, with sources indicating that Hamas was eager to reply shortly.
Washington has elevated strain on all sides to succeed in a ceasefire, with Blinken pushing this message throughout his regional tour. The US has strongly backed Israel but additionally urged restraint in launching a floor invasion of Rafah, which is full of displaced civilians. President Joe Biden has referred to as for the discharge of hostages held by Hamas, describing it as “the one impediment” to securing aid for Gaza’s civilians.
As diplomacy continued, Israel maintained its bombardment of Gaza, with air strikes reported in Gaza Metropolis, Khan Yunis, and Rafah, in addition to in a single day artillery shelling. Palestinians in Rafah mourned the most recent victims, with youngsters being pulled from the rubble.