Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected proposals for a cease-fire in Gaza, as he ordered Israeli troops to move to Rafah within the Gaza Strip, regardless of world considerations about additional worsening the already catastrophic humanitarian situations within the blockaded enclave.
As the conflict entered a fifth month, Netanyahu advised a televised briefing that he had ordered troops to “prepare to operate” in Rafah and {that a} “total victory” by Israel over Hamas was simply months away.
But he warned that accepting the Hamas group’s “bizarre demands” for a cease-fire wouldn’t result in the return of hostages.
“It will only invite another massacre,” Netanyahu stated.
The feedback appeared to dampen U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s hopes for a cease-fire and hostage launch deal, whilst he cautioned that extra negotiations had been wanted.
“There’s a lot of work to be done, but we are very much focused on doing that work and hopefully being able to resume the release of hostages that was interrupted” after a week-long truce in November, Blinken stated after talks with Netanyahu and different members of his conflict cupboard in Jerusalem.
An Egyptian official advised AFP that “a new round of negotiations” would begin on Thursday in Cairo geared toward reaching “calm in the Gaza Strip”.
A Hamas supply with information of the matter stated the Palestinian resistance group had agreed to the talks, with the purpose of “a cease-fire, an end to the war and a prisoner exchange deal.”
Last week, a Hamas supply stated the proposed new truce requires a six-week pause to combating and a hostage-prisoner change, in addition to extra assist for Gaza, however negotiations have continued since.
Blinken, on his fifth Middle East tour for the reason that Oct. 7 assault, additionally made a brand new plea for extra assist into Gaza, whose 2.4 million folks have endured a crippling siege and extreme shortages of fresh water, meals, gasoline and medical provides.
“We all have an obligation to do everything possible to get the necessary assistance to those who so desperately need it,” Blinken stated, “and the steps that are being taken – additional steps that need to be taken – are the focus of my own meetings here.”
Blinken later traveled to the occupied West Bank the place he met Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas.
Netanyahu after battle in Middle East: Hamas
Remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissing the most recent supply by Hamas for a cease-fire in Gaza present he intends to pursue battle within the Middle East, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri advised Reuters.
“Netanyahu’s comments are a form of political bravado, indicating his intention to pursue the conflict in the region,” Abu Zuhri stated.
“The movement (Hamas) is prepared to deal with all options.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com