Netanyahu Vows to Attack Hamas in Rafah Despite Ceasefire Talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel will enter Rafah with or without a Gaza hostage deal, regardless of any ceasefire or hostage deal. Netanyahu stated that the war will continue until all of Israel's objectives are achieved, rejecting the idea of stopping the war in return for hostage releases.

The international community, including Israel's top ally the United States, have raised concerns over the fate of civilians in Rafah if Israel invades. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is set to arrive in Tel Aviv to help broker a normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel, said that Israel has presented a "very generous" hostage deal proposal to Hamas that could lead to a ceasefire. He urged Hamas to accept it soon.

However, there are divisions within Netanyahu's own cabinet, with some ministers pressing to bring home Israeli hostages held in Gaza, while hardliners insist on the assault on remaining Hamas formations in Rafah. Netanyahu's government could be threatened if he agrees to a deal because hard-line Cabinet members have demanded an attack on Rafah.

Why this matters: The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths and a dire humanitarian crisis. A ceasefire and hostage deal could ease the suffering, but the threat of further Israeli military action risks even greater civilian casualties and regional instability.

The latest ceasefire proposal reportedly involves a two-phase plan. The first phase calls for 20 to 33 hostages to be released over several weeks in exchange for a pause in hostilities and the release of Palestinian prisoners. The second phase involves the restoration of "sustainable calm," during which the remaining hostages, captive Israeli soldiers, and the bodies of hostages would be exchanged for more Palestinian prisoners.

Meanwhile, airstrikes have continued in Rafah, with at least 30 people killed recently, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry has reported a total of 34,535 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes since the conflict began on October 7, 2023. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is also reportedly preparing arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other senior Israeli leaders on charges related to the conduct of the war.

In a statement, Netanyahu reiterated his determination to achieve "total victory" in the war. "The idea of stopping the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question," he said. The prime minister has faced mounting protests over his conduct of the war and his ongoing corruption trial, but his conservative Likud party has not responded to calls from some cabinet members to proceed with the Rafah offensive despite the risks.

Key Takeaways

• Netanyahu vows to invade Rafah, Gaza, regardless of ceasefire or hostage deal.
• Blinken urges Hamas to accept Israel's "very generous" hostage deal proposal.
• Divisions within Netanyahu's cabinet over hostage release vs. assault on Hamas.
• Ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths.
• ICC preparing arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders over war crimes.