2024-02-17 19:50:47
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed yesterday, despite international warnings, that Israel would launch a military offensive in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. “Of course only after we allow civilians in the combat zones to move to safe areas,” Netanyahu said in a press statement in Jerusalem.
He emphasized that they would not bow to international pressure on the issue. “Anyone who wants to prevent us from operating in Rafah is ultimately telling us ‘lose the war’.” He won’t allow that.
Even if there is a hostage deal, they will invade Rafah, said Netanyahu. In doing so, he hits the relatives of the 134 hostages, whose lives they fear. Despite his simultaneous assurances that he would do everything he could to ensure his release, the public statement actually undermined hopes for a deal.
The USA is also warning of an offensive
Israel is preparing a military offensive on the city of Rafah, which borders Egypt, in order to take action against the Islamist Hamas there too. Hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people have sought protection in the town in the south of the Palestinian territory. The plans to expand Israeli operations in the overcrowded city have met with great international criticism. The USA had also warned against this.
The Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip was triggered by the unprecedented massacre that terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups carried out in Israel on October 7th. On the Israeli side, more than 1,200 people were killed. Israel responded with heavy air strikes and a ground offensive.
Presents himself as a tough negotiator of Israeli interests
Netanyahu reiterated that they would “settle the score” with the Hamas leadership. It’s just a matter of time. Netanyahu said that they would not allow international parties to impose any rules on the question of a future peace settlement with the Palestinians.
Netanyahu also responded to media reports that the United States and other allies could recognize a Palestinian state without Israeli consent. Israel “under my leadership” will vehemently resist such a “unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state,” said the head of government, who is again trying to secure his political survival by portraying himself as resistant to international pressure.
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