Netanyahu said Israel would enter Rafah to destroy Hamas' battalions there regardless of whether a truce-for-hostages deal was struck or not.
Netanyahu's comments on Tuesday came hours before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel to advance the truce talks — which appear to be one of the most serious rounds of negotiations between Israel and Hamas since the war began.
Netanyahu’s comments appeared to be meant to appease his nationalist governing partners but it was not clear whether they would have any bearing on any emerging deal with Hamas. Netanyahu has faced pressure from his governing partners not to proceed with a deal that might prevent Israel from invading Rafah, which it says is Hamas' last major stronghold.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a cabinet meeting at the Kirya military base, which houses the Israeli Ministry of Defense, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Dec. 24, 2023. With more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million people sheltering in Rafah, the international community, including Israel's top ally the US, has warned Israel against any offensive that puts civilians at risk.
Netanyahu's coalition is made up of ultranationalist and conservative religious parties, and critics of the Israeli leader say his decision-making during the war has been driven by political considerations rather than national interests, a charge Netanyahu denies.Palestinians search for survivors after an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip.
Hamas has demanded assurances that an eventual release of all hostages will bring a complete end to Israel’s nearly seven-month assault in Gaza and a withdrawal of its troops from the devastated territory.
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