Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to condemnations over a possible attack on the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, saying that those who advise against it are “asking us to lose the war.”
Leaders and officials around the world, including the United States President Joe Biden And the United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Lord CameronThey have constantly warned Mr. Netanyahu against sending troops to Rafah, with particular concern about civilians taking shelter there.
But speaking during a press conference on Saturday, Netanyahu appeared to criticize the advance warnings, saying: “Whoever tells us not to work in Rafah is telling us to lose the war.”
He added, “I will have no role in this,” saying that the political campaign he leads allowed this Israel To work with “unprecedented freedom of action for five months.”
This comes at a time when the Prime Minister confirmed that his office ordered the Israeli Defense Forces to develop a plan to evacuate the city and destroy four of them. agitation The brigades that say they are deployed there.
Palestinians in Rafah take shelter on the border with Egypt. Photo: Reuters
He said during an interview broadcast on the American ABC network last week: “We will do that. We will control the remaining Hamas terrorist brigades in Rafah.”
We will do this while providing safe passage for the civilian population.”
About 1.4 million Palestinians are believed to be in Rafah, having evacuated their homes after Israel began its intense bombardment of the densely populated Strip following Hamas attacks on October 7.
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“Gaza is witnessing the worst humanitarian crisis it has seen in 50 years.”
It is said that Mr. Netanyahu is unable to change tactics in Gaza Frustrated President Joe BidenNetanyahu warned against sending forces to Rafah without a “credible” plan to protect civilians.
Lord Cameron added that the UK was “deeply concerned” about the situation in Rafah and called on Israel to do so “Stop and think seriously” before taking any further action.
Palestinians arrive in Rafah after being evacuated from Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. Photo: Reuters
Two Egyptian officials and a Western diplomat also said Egypt It threatened to suspend the peace treaty with Israel if it sent forces to Rafah.
Egypt is concerned that the fighting could push the Palestinians into the Sinai Peninsula The main aid supply route to Gaza was closed.
'Fake demands'
The state's efforts to resolve the conflict between Hamas and Israel faltered after Netanyahu halted truce talks after sending negotiators to Cairo.
Photo: Reuters
When asked why Israeli negotiators did not return for further negotiations, Netanyahu said on Saturday: “We got nothing but imaginary demands from Hamas.”
He said that the demands include ending the war, leaving Hamas as it is, and releasing “thousands of killers” from Israeli prisons.
Photo: Reuters
The talks, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, attempted to secure the release of more than 100 Israeli hostages held in Hamas-controlled territory, but ended without significant change on Tuesday.
“I wanted to say not a single millimeter, but there was not a single nanometer of change,” Netanyahu said.
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He added that Israel would not surrender to “international dictates” regarding… State agreement with the PalestiniansHe said that this could only be achieved through direct negotiations without preconditions.
In Tel Aviv, thousands gathered outside the army headquarters to protest and put pressure on Netanyahu's government.
Meanwhile, Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader, said the movement would not accept anything less than a complete cessation of hostilities, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a “lifting of the unjust blockade,” as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners serving long sentences in Gaza. Israeli prisons.
