Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a firm commitment to proceed with a planned attack on the southern Gaza City of Rafah, regardless of Hamas’ response to the latest proposals for a ceasefire and the return of Israeli hostages.
Recent efforts by Egypt to revive stalled negotiations between Israel and Hamas have raised hopes that a ceasefire agreement may be within reach.
However, there has been little indication of agreement on the fundamental differences between the two sides thus far.
In the meantime, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has heightened concerns in Israel about the country’s increasing isolation due to the conflict in Gaza. The war has resulted in the displacement of a majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants.
On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared his intention to launch an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Netanyahu stated that Israel would enter Rafah, which is considered Hamas’ last stronghold, regardless of whether a truce-for-hostages agreement is reached. While his remarks seemed aimed at appeasing his nationalist coalition partners, it remains uncertain whether they will have any impact on potential negotiations with Hamas.
The United Nations has issued a warning that an Israeli assault on Rafah in the Gaza Strip is imminent, emphasizing that Israel’s incremental progress in providing aid access to the enclave cannot be used to prepare for or justify a military operation.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on influential states to exert their influence over Israel in order to prevent an assault on Rafah.
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Tuesday for discussions with Netanyahu and other officials.
Blinken expressed his intention to address with Netanyahu the necessary measures that Israel still needs to take in order to increase the flow of aid into Gaza. Efforts to reach a truce and secure the release of hostages have been intensifying.
