Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assures that Israel will not abandon civilians trapped in Rafah when its forces launch an anticipated assault on the southern Gaza city, where over a million Palestinians have sought refuge.
During a press conference in Jerusalem with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Netanyahu stated, “It’s not something we will do while keeping the population locked in place. In fact, we’ll do the very opposite, we will enable them to leave.”
Scholz expressed concern that an Israeli attack on Rafah would complicate regional peace efforts.
Despite international pressure, Netanyahu affirmed his commitment to continue the military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, where a humanitarian crisis is imminent, as ceasefire negotiations are set to resume.
In a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu announced plans to enter Rafah, the last relatively safe area in the densely populated Gaza Strip after months of conflict.
Israel’s allies have urged caution, emphasizing the need to protect civilians in any military operation.
Addressing the pressure from allies, Netanyahu questioned their memory of the October 7 tragedy and defended Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas.
While Netanyahu claimed to have a plan for evacuating Rafah, skepticism remains among aid agencies and Israel’s allies.
Hamas’s actions in past attacks have resulted in significant casualties, prompting a harsh response from Israel, leading to widespread displacement and food shortages in Gaza.
Efforts to negotiate a lasting ceasefire involve high-level discussions with regional and international mediators, including proposals for a prisoner exchange.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with reports of malnutrition and lack of aid reaching vulnerable populations.
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