Netanyahu Says Israel Will Push on with Gaza Offensive, Including in Rafah

 A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment on March 7, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)
A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment on March 7, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)
TT
20

Netanyahu Says Israel Will Push on with Gaza Offensive, Including in Rafah

 A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment on March 7, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)
A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment on March 7, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)

Israel will push on with its offensive against Hamas, including into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, despite growing international pressure to stop, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday.

Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas after its fighters attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and abducting 253, according to Israeli tallies. More than 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza during Israel's subsequent offensive, Palestinian health authorities estimate, prompting worldwide criticism and condemnation.

"There is international pressure and it's growing, but particularly when the international pressure rises, we must close ranks, we need to stand together against the attempts to stop the war," he said.

About 1.5 million people are estimated to be crammed into Rafah, on the southernmost fringe of the enclave close to the border with Egypt, most of them having fled their homes further north to escape Israel's military onslaught.

Addressing a graduation ceremony at a training school for Israeli army officers, Netanyahu also said Israel must push back against a "calculated attempt" to blame it for Hamas' crimes.

He added that Israel would operate throughout Gaza, "including Rafah, the last Hamas stronghold".

"Whoever tells us not to act in Rafah is telling us to lose the war and that will not happen," Netanyahu said.



Witkoff Says US Expects Phase Two of Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal to Proceed

FILE PHOTO: US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/File Photo
TT
20

Witkoff Says US Expects Phase Two of Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal to Proceed

FILE PHOTO: US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/File Photo

President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday the US expects the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal to go forward and that he would visit the Middle East in the coming week.

Witkoff made the comments in a CNN 'State of the Union' interview after being asked about Israel's decision to postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees and how he expected the ceasefire to be impacted by developments in the region.

"We have to get an extension of phase one," Reuters quoted Witkoff as saying. "I'll be going to the region this week, probably Wednesday, to negotiate that."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Sunday Israel was waiting to deliver 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees "until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies." Hamas handed over six hostages from Gaza on Saturday.

Some Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and detainees have been released as part of a three-phase ceasefire in Gaza that went into effect just before Trump took office on January 20.

Palestinian officials have cited the blindfolding and binding of hands of Palestinian prisoners and detainees and warnings against holding celebrations at their release as examples of their humiliation by Israeli authorities.
Israel cites Hamas making hostages appear on stage in front of crowds and sometimes speak before they are handed over, as well as parading coffins with hostage remains through crowds.
Witkoff told CNN that Netanyahu was "well-motivated" and that Hamas cannot continue to govern Gaza.