Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated his intention to launch a military incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where a substantial portion of the population has sought refuge during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Netanyahu’s announcement came ahead of a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is expected to facilitate cease-fire negotiations. The current round of talks marks one of the most significant attempts to broker a truce since the commencement of the war, which aims to secure the release of hostages, provide relief to the population, and avert an Israeli offensive into Rafah and the potential harm to civilians. Despite the ongoing negotiations, Netanyahu has asserted that Israel will proceed with the Rafah incursion to eliminate Hamas battalions, regardless of whether an agreement is reached or not. His comments appear to be an attempt to appease his nationalist governing partners, though it remains unclear if they will impact any potential deal with Hamas. Netanyahu has faced pressure from his governing coalition not to pursue a deal that might prevent Israel from invading Rafah, which is considered Hamas’ last significant stronghold. If an agreement is reached, his government could face threats, as hard-line Cabinet members have demanded an attack on Rafah. As part of the negotiations, a deal is currently being discussed, brokered by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar. The initial phase would involve the release of hostages in exchange for a six-week suspension of hostilities, according to an Egyptian official and Israeli media reports. The deal would also include the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. However, a sticking point remains over the subsequent steps. Hamas has demanded guarantees that a complete end to Israel’s offensive in Gaza and a withdrawal of troops from the region will follow the release of all hostages. Israel has only offered an extended pause, vowing to resume its offensive once the first phase of the deal is complete. This issue has repeatedly hindered efforts by mediators during months of talks. Netanyahu has consistently rejected halting the war in exchange for hostage releases, emphasizing that an offensive on Rafah is crucial to eliminating militants. The conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted after an unprecedented raid into southern Israel on October 7, during which militants killed approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and abducted around 250 hostages. While Israel claims that the militants continue to hold around 100 hostages, along with the remains of over 30 others, the war has resulted in the deaths of more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. The conflict has displaced approximately 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million population, causing widespread destruction and pushing northern Gaza to the brink of famine.
Israel Threatens Rafah Offensive Amid Ceasefire Talks with Hamas
