Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an interview with CBS, said that a military operation in the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip is inevitable, and the pause in hostilities discussed at the negotiations can only delay it.
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The US is urging Israelis not to enter Rafah, which has become the main center for refugees from the rest of the enclave, without a “credible” plan to ensure the safety of the million Palestinians now living there.
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“If we have a deal, it will be delayed somewhat, but it will happen anyway. If there is no deal, we will still carry it out,” Netanyahu said.
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According to him, with the start of the operation in Rafah, Israel will be “weeks, not months” away from a complete victory over the Hamas movement ruling in the Gaza Strip. He noted that after the interview he was going to a meeting at the general headquarters, where a “double plan” would be discussed – the evacuation of the civilian population from Rafah and military operations against Hamas.
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US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan previously confirmed reports of progress at negotiations in Paris, where “the basic outlines of a deal to release hostages in exchange for a temporary truce” were determined, and expressed hope for reaching final agreements in the coming days.
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The White House previously said that the success of the negotiations could suspend hostilities in the Gaza Strip for up to a month and a half. The US remains opposed to a permanent ceasefire.
