World

“Israeli Forces Will Enter Rafah Even If A Hostage Deal Is Reached With Hamas”, Says Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that opponents who urged Israel not to take military action in Rafah were telling the government to lose the war against Hamas.

The Israeli prime minister, who has pledged to destroy the Palestinian group responsible for the October 7 attack on Israel, has also stated that forces will enter regardless of whether a hostage release agreement is reached.

“Even if we succeed, we will enter Rafah”, Netanyahu said at a televised press conference.

Israel has come under growing pressure, notably from its closest ally the United States, to refrain from sending troops into the southern Gaza city, where an estimated 1.4 million Palestinians have fled.

The military says it is working to evacuate civilians from the area to reduce casualties, but it has not divulged specifics of its evacuation plan.

Talks have been held in Cairo, Egypt, to try to broker a cease-fire, as relief agencies are growing increasingly concerned about the Gaza Strip’s scarcity of food, water, and medication.

Netanyahu stated, “Any settlement will be reached only through direct negotiations between the parties, without preconditions, and dismissed Hamas’ demands as ludicrous”.

“Israel under my leadership will continue to strongly oppose the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state”, Netanyahu continued.

“After the terrible massacre of October 7, there can be no greater reward for terrorism than that and it will prevent any future peace settlement”, Netanyahu added.

He spoke as thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv, accusing Netanyahu’s administration of abandoning hostages abducted in the October 7 attack and still being detained in Gaza.

They shouted that the government had ‘blood on its hands’ and urged Israel to compromise. Among them was Yair Mozes, whose father, Gadi, was among the hostages.

He went on to say, “I’m sorry that the prime minister thinks that it’s not necessary to send representatives to the negotiations in Cairo, where all the parties and mediators are except for Israel”.

Also read: Russia Launches Rockets Into Eastern Ukraine

Spriha Rai

Recent Posts

Pope Francis Funeral: President Murmu & PM Modi Pay Final Tributes

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, was laid to rest in a humble ceremony…

1 hour ago

Man Arrested For Raping Six-Year-Old Girl In Bihar’s Vaishali District

The Bihar police have taken swift action in arresting a man accused of raping a…

2 hours ago

PM Modi Distributes Over 51,000 Appointment Letters In 15th Rozgar Mela

PM Modi distributed 51,236 appointment letters to newly-recruited candidates in central government departments and organisations…

4 hours ago

Indian Embassy In Berlin Holds Memorial For Pahalgam Terror Victims

The Indian Embassy in Berlin organised a solemn memorial service to honour the victims of…

6 hours ago

Joe Jonas Reflects On Disconnecting From Technology And Reliving Childhood

Pop star Joe Jonas recently performed his latest single, Heart by Heart, to a phone-free…

6 hours ago

Chennai Super Kings’ Struggles Continue As Sunrisers Hyderabad Secure Crucial Win

CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has openly acknowledged the team's ongoing struggles in the 2025…

6 hours ago