Israeli forces will enter Rafah ‘with or without’ Gaza hostage deal, says PM Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Tuesday (Apr 30) said Israel will carry out operation in southern Gaza’s Rafah regardless of whether a ceasefire and hostage release deal is reached. Meanwhile, a report by news agency AFP citing a top Israeli official said that the government will wait until Wednesday (May 1) night for Hamas’ answer to the latest proposal.

‘With or without a deal’: Netanyahu

Netanyahu, on Tuesday again vowed to launch an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah where millions of displaced Palestinians are sheltering amid the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

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Israel’s plans for Rafah have garnered international criticism and condemnation even from its allies, but the Israeli PM has reiterated the needto eliminate Hamas’ battalions in the southern Gaza city in order to achieve “total victory.”

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“The idea that we will stop the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question,” said Netanyahu, according to a statement by his office.

He added, “We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate Hamas’ battalions there – with or without a deal, to achieve the total victory.”

The Israeli PM made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing a small group of families of hostages called the Tikva Forum. The group is distinct from the large group representing the families of captive Israelis in Gaza and has reportedly put crushing Hamas over the freedom of their loved ones.

Meanwhile, the group representing the majority of the families of captive Israelis have taken to the streets across the country calling on the government to work out a deal that brings the hostages home, saying it should take precedence over military action.

Israel to wait until Wednesday night

A report by AFP citing a top Israeli official said the government will wait until Wednesday night for a Hamas response to a Gaza truce proposal before it decides whether to send envoys to Cairo for ceasefire talks or not.

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“Israel will make a decision once Hamas provides their answer,” the official told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that “we will wait for answers until Wednesday night and then decide”.

About the ceasefire deal

United States President Joe Biden called on the leaders of Qatar and Egypt on Monday (Apr 29) to “exert all efforts” and secure the release of hostages who have been held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip so that the ceasefire deal is achieved.

Netanyahu’s statement on Tuesday also came hours after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel to advance truce talks which are meant to free hostages and avert an Israeli offensive into Rafah and the potential harm to civilians there.

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The current deal, which is being brokered by the US, Egypt and Qatar, would see the release of dozens of hostages in exchange for a six-week halt in fighting, reported the Associated Press citing Egyptian official and Israeli media.

In line with the deal, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel would also be released. Blinken, on Monday, urged Hamas to accept the latest proposal, calling it “extraordinarily generous” on Israel’s part.

(With inputs from agencies)