Hamas: Any Israeli Offensive in Rafah Will 'Blow Up' Hostage Exchange Talks

A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing during Israeli bombardment over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on February 11, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP)
A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing during Israeli bombardment over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on February 11, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP)
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Hamas: Any Israeli Offensive in Rafah Will 'Blow Up' Hostage Exchange Talks

A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing during Israeli bombardment over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on February 11, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP)
A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing during Israeli bombardment over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on February 11, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP)

Any Israeli ground offensive in Rafah on the Gaza border will "blow up" the hostage exchange negotiations," Hamas-run Aqsa Television channel quoted a senior Hamas leader as saying on Sunday.

Israel’s neighbors and key mediators also warned Saturday of disaster and repercussions if its military launches a ground invasion in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said any Israeli ground offensive on Rafah would have “disastrous consequences,” and asserted that Israel aims to eventually force the Palestinians out of their land.

Another mediator, Qatar, also warned of disaster, and Saudi Arabia warned of “very serious repercussions.”

A total of 28,176 Palestinians have been killed and 67,784 have been injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza since Oct. 7, the Gaza health ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

Some 112 Palestinians were killed and 173 injured in the past 24 hours, the ministry added.



Israel Says It Intercepted a Missile Fired by Yemen’s Houthis

A person passes in front of a display of Houthis-made mock missile and drones at a square in Sanaa, Yemen, 13 January 2025. (EPA)
A person passes in front of a display of Houthis-made mock missile and drones at a square in Sanaa, Yemen, 13 January 2025. (EPA)
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Israel Says It Intercepted a Missile Fired by Yemen’s Houthis

A person passes in front of a display of Houthis-made mock missile and drones at a square in Sanaa, Yemen, 13 January 2025. (EPA)
A person passes in front of a display of Houthis-made mock missile and drones at a square in Sanaa, Yemen, 13 January 2025. (EPA)

Israel’s military said it intercepted a missile fired toward the country by Yemen’s Houthi militias, setting off sirens on Monday across the Jordan Valley and the occupied West Bank.

There were no reports of injuries from Magen David Adom, Israel’s rescue service.

The Iran-backed Houthis have been firing drones and missiles at Israel for almost a year, and the frequency has increased to near-daily attacks over the past month — attacks the Houthis say won’t stop until Israel agrees to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has carried out multiple waves of intense strikes in recent weeks in Yemen in response to the missile attacks. The latest launch raises the likelihood of further Israeli retaliation.

The US and partner forces have also launched multiple rounds of airstrikes against the Houthis.