The Israeli war cabinet has approved a military operation in Rafah. This was announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The military operation will serve to increase pressure on the terrorist group Hamas to release the Israeli hostages.
“The War Cabinet unanimously decided that Israel should continue the operation in Rafah to exert military pressure on Hamas to advance the release of our hostages as well as the other goals of the war,” Netanyahu’s office said. Late on Monday evening, the Israeli army attacked targets in the east of the city. According to an army spokesman, these were facilities of Hamas.
Hamas concessions far from Israel’s demands, according to Netanyahu
Shortly before, Hamas had agreed to a proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hajja said the agreed proposal calls for a three-stage ceasefire with the aim of a permanent ceasefire. Each of the three phases would last 42 days, he told Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera. The agreement also contains plans for a complete withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Stripthe return of Palestinians displaced by the ongoing war and an exchange of hostages and prisoners.
The terror group’s concessions are far from meeting Israeli demands for a ceasefire, Netanyahu said. Nevertheless, a working delegation will be sent to further discussions. The Israeli one Military had announced that it would examine Hamas’s proposals. “We are investigating every response (…) and are using every opportunity in terms of negotiations and the return of the hostages,” said military spokesman Daniel Hagari.
US examines proposals, Ben-Gvir describes Hamas approval as “tricks”
The USA also announced that it wanted to examine Hamas’ information. In the coming hours, the proposal will be discussed with US partner countries in the region, said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reiterated that the US now wanted to talk to all partners involved in the region. As in the past few days, CIA chief William Burns remains in the region to help reach an agreement. The Middle East conflict is in a “critical phase”.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir described Hamas’ commitment, according to a report by the Times of Israel as an attempt at deception. “There is only one answer to Hamas’s tricks and games – an immediate order to capture Rafah, increase military pressure and continue to crush Hamas until it is completely defeated,” he said.
Israel continues airstrikes on Rafah
Meanwhile, military operations in the Gaza Strip continued. The Israeli military also renewed its call for the people of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip to vacate the east of the city and carried out air strikes there. The Israeli air force attacked more than 50 “terrorist targets” in the Rafah area during the day, army spokesman Hagari said.
That morning, Israel called on about 100,000 Palestinians to begin evacuating Rafah. Affected residents should go to the Al-Mawasi area near the coast. In Al-Mawasi, aid has been expanded; field hospitals, tents, food and water are available, said military spokesman Nadav Shoschani. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, “thousands” of people have already left the area. In Rafah, around 1.2 million people have sought refuge from the fighting between Israel’s army and Hamas.
Hagari also announced that Israel would reopen the important Kerem Shalom border crossing for humanitarian aid to Gaza as soon as possible. He didn’t mention a time. Israel closed the crossing on Sunday after a Hamas mortar attack in the area killed four Israeli soldiers.
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The Israeli war cabinet has approved a military operation in Rafah. This was announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The military operation will serve to increase pressure on the terrorist group Hamas to release the Israeli hostages.
“The War Cabinet unanimously decided that Israel should continue the operation in Rafah to exert military pressure on Hamas to advance the release of our hostages as well as the other goals of the war,” Netanyahu’s office said. Late on Monday evening, the Israeli army attacked targets in the east of the city. According to an army spokesman, these were facilities of Hamas.