ISRAEL says plans to attack the city of Rafah in southern Gaza can be suspended. That is if a deal emerges to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
“The release of the hostages is our top priority,” Foreign Minister Israel Katz said during an interview with local television Channel 12.
He confirmed that Israel would postpone planned operations to eliminate the Hamas battalion in the city of Rafah. As long as Hamas releases its citizens detained in the Gaza Strip.
He further said that Israel would completely abandon the plan if there was a strong agreement. Katz is a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet, but is not focused on dealing with attacks in Gaza.
Israel considers Rafah home to four Hamas fighter battalions reinforced by thousands of retreating fighters, so it must invade it to achieve victory.
But Rafah, which abuts the Egyptian border, hosts more than a million Palestinians who have fled Israel’s offensive across Gaza and said the prospect of fleeing again was frightening.
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Previously, Hamas said it had received Israel’s official response to the latest ceasefire proposal. This news emerged in the midst of negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar. Hamas emphasized that it would study it before making a decision.
The United States (US) and 17 other countries asked Hamas to release all hostages as a way to end this crisis. Hamas wants to risk any deal ending the fighting permanently.
Israel plans to continue the war until Hamas’s government and military capacity is dismantled. More than 130 hostages are still being held in Gaza, including women and children.
Hamas released a new video showing the two hostages pleading for their release and sending love to their families. As a result, thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv to protest and demand that the government guarantee the release of the hostages. (CNA/Cah)
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