<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been diagnosed with Hernia, in strong remarks on Sunday (Mar 31) made it clear that the pressure put by US is not the reason why Rafah operation has not yet been started. He also refuted claims that Ramadan is the reason why Israel has not entered the city of Rafah.&nbsp;He said that is no "hesitancy" about the operation. "It won’t take a lot of time. Nothing will stop us, not US pressure," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is worth noting that US President Joe Biden earlier cautioned Israel that its offensive in Rafah city in southern Gaza is a 'red line'. However, Biden at the time downplayed his remarks immediately and said, "it is a red line but I'm never going to leave Israel".</p>

<p>The remarks raised speculations over deteriorating relations between the leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The tension between US and Israel was also visible when Israeli PM was asked about the cancellation of delegation to Washington.&nbsp;Netanyahu said, “I told them, ‘Don’t do it. It will send an extremely grave message to Hamas: They don’t have to release a single hostage, and they can get a ceasefire.”</p>

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<p>This came after US allowed UNSC resolution on Gaza ceasefire to pass by abstaining and not exercising its veto.&nbsp;“We will find the way to dialogue on this issue. But I thought it was important to send the message on that very day to the entire international community, and also to Hamas. And that was an important message that I stand behind," Netanyahu said.</p>

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<p>Netanyahu held a press conference on Sunday wherein he said the war cabinet has approved 'operational plans' for Rafah. Bibi also asserted that the Israeli defence forces are all geared up to operate in Rafah in a bid to evacuate the civilians as well as to support the distribution of humanitarian aid.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-local-elections-voting-marred-by-violent-incidents-fierce-contest-for-istabul-ankara-706336">Turkey local elections: Voting marred by violent incidents; fierce contest for Istabul, Ankara</a></strong></p>

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<p>“It’s the right thing to do operationally and internationally,” he reportedly said while adding, "Whoever says that I am not doing everything to return our abductees is wrong and misleading."&nbsp;Meanwhile, while responding to those who are calling for elections, Netanyahu said, "They will silence Israel. The first to bless this&nbsp;will&nbsp;be&nbsp;Hamas".<br />
<br />
He further added that the whole world was ganging up against&nbsp;Israel and blamed it on a combination of ignorance and antisemitism.</p>

<p>“What has happened in the past few months was that the terrible massacre&nbsp;of October 7 was quickly forgotten, and the whole world is ganging up on us. And there are people here and abroad who say maybe there’s something to this;&nbsp;maybe we’re really not ok,” the Israeli PM added.</p>

<p>Netanyahu, during the presser before his scheduled surgery at 9 pm local time, said that during his talks with the US President Joe Biden he thanked him for the solidarity, “but I did not appreciate the decision in the Security Council. I thought it was a deplorable decision, since for the first time it disconnected the ceasefire…and the release of hostages. That’s why I thought I had to send a clear message on this issue.”</p>

<p>Netanyahu says he told Biden that “If we have to, we will fight with our fingernails.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been diagnosed with Hernia, in strong remarks on Sunday (Mar 31) made it clear that the pressure put by US is not the reason why Rafah operation has not yet been started.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been diagnosed with Hernia, in strong remarks on Sunday (Mar 31) made it clear that the pressure put by US is not the reason why Rafah operation has not yet been started. He also refuted claims that Ramadan is the reason why Israel has not entered the city of Rafah. He said that is no "hesitancy" about the operation. "It won’t take a lot of time. Nothing will stop us, not US pressure," he said. It is worth noting that US President Joe Biden earlier cautioned Israel that its offensive in Rafah city in southern Gaza is a 'red line'. However, Biden at the time downplayed his remarks immediately and said, "it is a red line but I'm never going to leave Israel". The remarks raised speculations over deteriorating relations between the leaders. The tension between US and Israel was also visible when Israeli PM was asked about the cancellation of delegation to Washington. Netanyahu said, “I told them, ‘Don’t do it. It will send an extremely grave message to Hamas: They don’t have to release a single hostage, and they can get a ceasefire.” Also Read | Fukushima disaster: Japan says experts met in China to dispel concerns over radioactive water This came after US allowed UNSC resolution on Gaza ceasefire to pass by abstaining and not exercising its veto. “We will find the way to dialogue on this issue. But I thought it was important to send the message on that very day to the entire international community, and also to Hamas. And that was an important message that I stand behind," Netanyahu said. Also Read | 200-tonne chunk of collapsed Baltimore bridge lifted out by workers Netanyahu held a press conference on Sunday wherein he said the war cabinet has approved 'operational plans' for Rafah. Bibi also asserted that the Israeli defence forces are all geared up to operate in Rafah in a bid to evacuate the civilians as well as to support the distribution of humanitarian aid. Watch | Turkey local elections: Voting marred by violent incidents; fierce contest for Istabul, Ankara × “It’s the right thing to do operationally and internationally,” he reportedly said while adding, "Whoever says that I am not doing everything to return our abductees is wrong and misleading." Meanwhile, while responding to those who are calling for elections, Netanyahu said, "They will silence Israel. The first to bless this will be Hamas". He further added that the whole world was ganging up against Israel and blamed it on a combination of ignorance and antisemitism. “What has happened in the past few months was that the terrible massacre of October 7 was quickly forgotten, and the whole world is ganging up on us. And there are people here and abroad who say maybe there’s something to this; maybe we’re really not ok,” the Israeli PM added. Netanyahu, during the presser before his scheduled surgery at 9 pm local time, said that during his talks with the US President Joe Biden he thanked him for the solidarity, “but I did not appreciate the decision in the Security Council. I thought it was a deplorable decision, since for the first time it disconnected the ceasefire…and the release of hostages. That’s why I thought I had to send a clear message on this issue.” Netanyahu says he told Biden that “If we have to, we will fight with our fingernails.” (With inputs from agencies)

‘US pressure will not stop us,’ says Netanyahu as Israel approves ‘operational plans’ for action in Rafah

On Monday Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to send a team of Israeli officials to Washington to discuss with the Biden Administration officials a prospective Rafah operation. The White House has been extremely skeptical of Netanyahu's plan to carry out an operation in Rafah. Watch to know more!

Israel war: Netanyahu to send Israeli team to Washington to discuss prospective Rafah ops

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‘US pressure will not stop us,’ says Netanyahu as Israel approves ‘operational plans’ for action in Rafah

Israel war: Netanyahu to send Israeli team to Washington to discuss prospective Rafah ops