Israel-Hamas battle: Benjamin Netanyahu vows to push forward with assault on Rafah, regardless of worldwide criticism

A defiant Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press forward with a long-expected assault on the southern Gaza metropolis of Rafah, regardless of worldwide criticism.

The Israeli prime minister was talking on Sunday following a gathering with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as he reiterated his promise to “eliminate the remaining terrorist battalions in Rafah”.

But he additionally mentioned this promise “goes hand in hand with enabling the civilian population to leave”, though he gave no particulars as to the place they might go.

“It’s not something we will do while keeping the population locked in place,” he mentioned of the deliberate assault.

“In fact, we’ll do the very opposite – we will enable them to leave because our consideration for reducing and minimising civilian casualties has guided us and will continue to guide us in future.”

Israel’s army offensive in Gaza was launched within the wake of Hamas’s 7 October assault, when the militant group killed 1,200 folks and kidnapped greater than 250, a few of whom are nonetheless hostages.

As the battle approaches the tip of its sixth month and with little progress in ceasefire talks, the variety of Palestinians killed has handed 31,000, based on the Hamas-run Gaza well being ministry, though these figures don’t distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Israel’s offensive has pushed most of Gaza’s 2.3 million folks from their houses, multiple million of them sheltering in Rafah.

1 / 4 of the inhabitants is ravenous, based on the UN, with support organisations struggling to get meals via because of Israeli restrictions and safety considerations.

In desperation, a small group of nations has resorted to dropping support from the air and deliveries have lastly been going by sea – however neither of those makes up for the capability that ought to be introduced in by highway.

Read extra:
America pressed on Rafah operation
Dozens killed as they waited for support, Gaza well being ministry says
Analysis – the West has misplaced persistence over Gaza support

Commenting on the potential for an offensive on Rafah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sissi mentioned it could have “grave repercussions on the whole region”.

And Mr Scholz, after his Sunday assembly with Mr Netanyahu, warned: “The more desperate the situation of people in Gaza becomes, the more this begs the question: No matter how important the goal, can it justify such terribly high costs, or are there other ways to achieve your goal?”

Even some within the US, Israel’s staunchest ally, have been shedding persistence with Mr Netanyahu.

US Senate majority chief Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in America and a robust Israel supporter, mentioned Israel ought to maintain a brand new election, saying Mr Netanyahu had “lost his way”.

The Israeli PM mentioned the feedback have been “wholly inappropriate”, including that his nation was “not a banana republic”, however US President Joe Biden described Mr Schumer’s phrases as a “good speech”.

On Sunday, Mr Netanyahu insisted: “Hamas has to be eliminated.

“We can’t have a future for Gaza, a future for peace, a future for Israel, if Hamas – a terrorist organisation dedicated to our genocide – stays in tact.”