Israel’s Premier, Binyamin Netanyahu, has declared his intention to infiltrate the city of Rafah, located in southern Gaza, with the intention of obliterating Hamas, regardless of the existence of a ceasefire or a deal involving the release of hostages. He emphasized that stopping the war prior to the accomplishment of Israel’s objectives is not under consideration.
Netanyahu is scheduled for a discussion with Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right minister for interior security, later in the same day. Ben-Gvir is rumoured to disagree with a potential deal, and seems to prefer a military attack on Rafah initiated by Israel.
The prime minister reassured his commitment to achieving an absolute victory in the war and has been under the pressure of his nationalist allies in the government to instigate an offensive in Rafah, the alleged final stronghold of Hamas.
Gaza-based officials of Hamas have left Cairo following discussions with Egyptian representatives about a new proposition for a ceasefire in Gaza, as reported by Egypt’s Al-Qahera News, a state-run satellite channel.
Although complete details of the proposed deal are not public yet, it’s believed that the agreement would involve 30 to 40 vulnerable hostages, including women, children and individuals above 50 years being initially sent back by Hamas. In addition, Israel would free several Palestinian detainees, followed by a 40 days halt in combat.
US president Joe Biden has called upon the heads of Egypt and Qatar to strive to ensure the release of captives held by Hamas, as part of the ceasefire conversations in Gaza, the White House reported. Biden made this appeal during his phone conversation with the leaders, stating that the release of the hostages remains the singular hindrance to an immediate ceasefire and relief for Gaza residents according to the White House.
Upon their return to Qatar after latest dialogues in Cairo, the Hamas assembly stated that they would “ponder over the ideas and the proposition. We are eager to respond as swiftly as can be,” a source from Hamas told Agence France-Presse.
In related news, Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state has left Saudi Arabia and is en route to Jordan for a meeting with King Abdullah II, foreign minister Ayman Safadi and the UN aid and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag. Later in the day, Blinken intends to head towards Israel.
The Gaza Health Ministry, under Hamas, issued a statement on Tuesday revealing that more than 34,535 Palestinians have lost their lives and 77,704 have sustained injuries since the start of the Israeli military operation in Gaza on October 7th.