Netanyahu vows to attack Rafah ‘with or without deal’ as talks continue with Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday pledged to crack down on a raid on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are taking refuge fleeing the seven-month war, while talks for a ceasefire between Israeli authorities and Hamas strengthen. It is visible.

Netanyahu’s statements came hours before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel to advance talks for a ceasefire, in what appears to be one of the most serious rounds of contact between the two sides since the beginning of the conflict. The agreement aims to free the hostages, provide some relief to the besieged area, and prevent attacks on Rafah that could harm civilians.

Speaking to a group of bereaved families and an organization representing relatives held captive by the rebels, Netanyahu said Israel would enter Rafah to destroy the remaining Hamas battalions, whether there is a ceasefire or not. .

“The idea that we will stop the war before it has achieved all its objectives is wrong,” the Israeli leader said, according to a statement from his office. “We will enter Rafah and destroy the Hamas battalions there – achieving complete victory with or without compromise.”

Netanyahu has faced pressure from his nationalist government allies not to pursue a deal that could halt the offensive on Rafah, which he claims is the rebel group’s last stronghold. If he agrees to a deal his mandate could be at risk as the most conservative members of his executive have called for an attack on the city.

But more than half of the Strip’s 2.3 million residents have taken refuge there, with the international community, including Israel’s main ally the United States, warning about any attacks that could put civilians at risk.

It was unclear whether Netanyahu’s comments were aimed at placating his coalition partners or whether he would consider a possible deal with Hamas.

Netanyahu addressed the Tikva Forum, a small group of hostages’ relatives separate from the main group, indicating he would rather see Hamas crushed than their loved ones freed. The families and their supporters have demonstrated by the thousands each week to demand an agreement on the return of the hostages, saying they should be given priority over military action.

According to an Egyptian official and Israeli media, the agreement being discussed – brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar – would initially see the release of dozens of hostages in exchange for a six-week ceasefire. Hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails will also be freed.

The main thing is what happens next. Hamas has demanded guarantees that the release of all hostages would end the Israeli campaign in Gaza and lead to the withdrawal of its troops from the devastated area. Israel has only offered an extended pause and promised to resume its offensive once the cease-fire ends. The issue has repeatedly hindered the efforts of mediators during months of negotiations.

Netanyahu has repeatedly refused to stop the war in exchange for the return of the hostages and says the operation in Rafah is vital to destroying the rebels.

The war in Gaza began on October 7 after an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, in which rebels killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took about 250 more hostages. Hamas is believed to have captured about 100 Israelis in Gaza and the remains of at least 30 more remain.

The subsequent Israeli air and ground campaign in the Strip has claimed the lives of at least 34,536 Palestinians, mostly women and minors, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, whose count does not distinguish between civilian victims and combatants. He said at least 77,704 people have been injured.

The fighting has forced about 80% of Gaza’s population to flee their homes, causing widespread destruction in many towns and cities and leaving the region on the brink of famine.