Netanyahu Vows to Launch Israeli Offence on Rafah Invasion
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his determination to launch an offensive in Rafah, defying international criticism.
The city is crammed with some 1.5 million Palestinians from other parts of Gaza seeking refuge.
His comments come as the German Chancellor, on a Middle East trip, restated his opposition to the plan.
But Mr. Netanyahu said no international pressure will stop Israel from achieving all of its war aims.
He said Israel must be able to continue its war, with the aims of eliminating Hamas, releasing all hostages and ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat.
Mr. Netanyahu said the offensive in the city at the southern tip of the Gaza strip will happen and will take several weeks.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday speaking to reporters in a joint news conference with Netanyahu, said he spoke to him about the need to provide those in Gaza with comprehensive humanitarian aid supplies.
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He said a hostage deal for Israelis taken by Hamas on 7 October was necessary alongside a longer-lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
The German leader said he told his Israeli counterpart a humanitarian logic should be considered ahead of a ground offensive in Rafah.
To which Mr Netanyahu said: [Israel’s] goal in eliminating the remaining terrorist battalions in Rafah goes hand in hand with enabling the civilian population to leave Rafah.
It’s not something that we will do, while keeping the population locked in place, the Israeli leader added.
Israel’s plans have been heavily criticised by the international community, with the UN and US also warning that a full-scale assault in Rafah could be disastrous.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the UN’s World Health Organization, on Friday appealed to Israel in the name of humanity not to launch such an attack on Gaza’s southern-most city.
The US says it has not yet seen a detailed Israeli plan for Rafah, and President Joe Biden has warned Israel against expanding its invasion in the city, calling it a red line.
The relationship between Israel and the US is becoming ever more fractious.
