FILE PHOTO: US President Joe Biden, left, meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, to discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas (via REUTERS)
Published April 8, 2024
Netanyahu said victory against the Hamas requires entry into Rafah. ‘…the elimination of the terrorist battalions there. It will happen – there is a date’
Amid repeated attempts from the international community, including its closest ally United States, to oppress Israel’s Rafah invasion, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘pledged’ the “elimination of the terrorist” from the southern Gaza city, saying that he has set a date for it.
Over half of Gaza’s population, around 1.4 million Palestinians, have fled to Rafah after being displaced by fighting in other parts of the territory.
In a video statement on Monday, Netanyahu said victory against the Hamas requires entry into Rafah. “…the elimination of the terrorist battalions there. It will happen – there is a date,” the Israeli PM said without elaborating on the time of the planned attack.
“We are working to achieve our goals all the time…primarily releasing all our hostages and achieving total victory,” he added.
The US has said a ground operation into Rafah would be a mistake and has demanded to see a credible plan to protect civilians.
Netanyahu’s video message came at the time Israeli negotiators were discussing international efforts to broker a cease-fire deal with the Hamas in Cairo.
Israel has said Rafah is Hamas’ last stronghold and has vowed to send ground troops into the city.
On Sunday, Israeli troops withdrew from another city in southern Gaza, Khan Younis, ending a key phase of the war.
But, the Israeli defense officials said they’re regrouping ahead of a push into Rafah.
The Jew nation has said it has a plan to evacuate Palestinian civilians ahead of its offensive as Israel’s Defence Ministry on Monday published a tender seeking a supplier of tents.
An Israeli official, on condition of anonymity told the Associated Press, that the tents were part of the “Rafah preparations”.
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SOURCE: www.livemint.com
RELATED: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vows to carry out Rafah invasion, which US says would be a mistake
Published April 8, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has escalated his pledge to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which is filled with around 1.4 million Palestinians, most of whom are displaced from other parts of the Gaza Strip. “It will happen. There is a date,” Netanyahu said in a video statement Monday, without elaborating.
Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israel must send ground forces into Rafah, saying it is Hamas’ last stronghold in Gaza.
Israel has insisted it has a plan to protect the civilians.
In a video statement Monday, Netanyahu said the Rafah operation is essential for victory. He said, “It will happen. There is a date,” without elaborating. He spoke as Israeli negotiators were in Cairo discussing international efforts to broker a cease-fire deal with Hamas.
Israeli troops withdrew Sunday from Khan Younis, another city in southern Gaza, ending a key phase of the war. Defense officials say they’re regrouping ahead of a push into Rafah. Palestinians who visited Khan Younis on Monday said the city is now unlivable, offering them little immediate chance to return. Many have been sheltering in Rafah.
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SOURCE: www.economictimes.indiatimes.com
