Netanyahu vows to invade Rafah as talks continue

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday pledged to launch an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering from the almost seven-month-long war, as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas appear to be gaining steam.

Netanyahu’s comments came hours before US 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 that 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.

However, with more than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people sheltering there, the international community, including Israel’s top ally the US, has warned Israel against any offensive that puts civilians at risk.

The current deal being discussed, brokered by the US, 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, an Egyptian official and Israeli media said. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel would also be released.

However, a sticking point remains over what happens next. Hamas has demanded assurances that an eventual release of all hostages would 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.