(NewsWorthy.news) – Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel will proceed with plans to assault Gaza’s southern city of Rafah regardless of whether a ceasefire is arranged.
In his statement to Western diplomats, Netanyahu made it clear that attempts to secure the release of hostages and agree on a ceasefire would not affect Tel Aviv’s plans to invade the city. The Prime Minister said that halting the war before Israel’s goals were met is out of the question, stressing the regime’s plans to destroy Hamas in the city that Israel claims is the last remaining stronghold of the internationally recognized terrorist group.
Protests have been held for months in Tel Aviv demanding that Netanyahu announce an election and secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. On April 30 the Prime Minister met with those from the Heroism forum and the Hope forum representing bereaved families and relatives of hostages who were pressing him to proceed with the war’s goals. He emphasized that “total victory” must be accomplished against Hamas.
Rafah is not only a crucial Hamas stronghold, but also a place of refuge for hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians who have fled their homes in the war. The plans for the Rafah Offensive have received strong criticism from Western leaders including the U.S. and U.K., and the U.K. government has been considering the suspension of arms exports to Israel if the assault goes ahead. In March the Israeli regime ignored U.S. President Joe Biden’s warnings against the offensive and formally authorized the planned attack. Biden had made clear his concerns that the assault could cross a “red line”.
Over 34,000 people have been killed in Israel’s attacks on Gaza since October. The Biden administration has repeatedly highlighted the amount of civilian casualties in Israel’s war against Hamas. Washington is reportedly working with Tel Aviv to open up more humanitarian corridors between Israel and Gaza. Though Netanyahu has stated that the date for the offensive has been set, the U.S. State Department has clarified that no plans relating to the Rafah offensive have been shared with the White House.
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