'With Or Without Deal': Netanyahu Vows To Invade Rafah Despite Renewed Warning By US
Netanyahu's threat comes after the US renewed its warning against a ground invasion of Rafah, the southern city of Gaza which is holding over 2.5 million Palestinians including displaced people.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Israel will launch an invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah regardless of ceasefire talks with Hamas. This comes amid ongoing efforts by the mediators to reach an agreement for a truce and hostage releases.
But Netanyahu said he would invade Rafah "with or without" a deal, at a meeting of hostages' relatives, reported BBC.
“We will enter Rafah because we have no other choice. We will destroy the Hamas battalions there, we will complete all the objectives of the war, including the return of all our hostages,” he said, reported AP.
He made the comments after the United States renewed warnings against a Rafah invasion unless civilians were properly protected.
In a phone call on Sunday with the Israeli PM, Biden reiterated Washington's "clear position" on Rafah, said a White House statement. Previously, Biden has described an invasion of Rafah as a "red line".
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also denounced the move saying as assault on Rafah would be an "unbearable escalation". He appealed for "all those with influence over Israel to do everything in their power to prevent it".
Over 2.5 million population of Gaza is in Rafah, having to flee there to escape fighting in other parts of the territory. The condition in the overcrowded cuty are dire as the displaced people have spoken about lack of food, water, and medication.
The West Bank-based Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that an invasion of Rafah would be the biggest catastrophe in the Palestinian people's history".
Why Israel Is Determined To Invade Rafah
Israel says Rafah is Hamas' last major stronghold in the Gaza strip as Netanyahu declared war against Hamas in resposne to the October 7 attacks saying the central goal is to destroy its military capabilities. Responding to the Hamas' cross-border attack, Israel dismantled 18 out of militant group's 24 batallions, as per the Israel Defence Forces. It says that Hamas has four batallions in Rafah and that it must send ground forces to topple them.
Israel launched its first offensive, in a bid to eliminate Hamas, in northern Gaza but the militant faction has regrouped in some areas and continiue to launch attacks.
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