Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday (Mar 22) that Israel, if required, will enter into the southern Gaza city of Rafah even without the backing of the United States.
During a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Tel Aviv earlier, Netanyahu conveyed Israel’s stance, stating that the only way to crack down on Hamas was by confronting the militant group within Rafah, a city bordering Egypt. Rafah is an important gateway for the movement of aid in and out of the Gaza Strip and the offensive might play an added hindrance to the situation there.
Netanyahu said, “I told him that I hope we will do it with the support of the US, but if we have to – we will do it alone,” reported Reuters.
Blinken’s visit to Israel comes amid ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, with discussions also focusing on humanitarian concerns and the release of hostages. Following the meeting with Netanyahu, Blinken also met with the Israeli war cabinet for extensive discussions lasting approximately two and a half hours, as per reports.
Before he arrived in Israel, Blinken engaged in talks in Egypt aimed at securing a cease-fire.
During a news conference in Egypt, Blinken stated, “There’s a clear consensus around a number of shared priorities.”
The negotiations have encountered a hurdle, with Hamas insisting on the release of hostages as part of a comprehensive deal to end the conflict, while Israel maintains its position for a temporary pause.
The situation remains dire for over a million Palestinians seeking refuge in Rafah amid escalating hostilities.
The recent conflict has resulted in casualties, with Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7 claiming the lives of at least 1,200 people. There is also a substantial toll of nearly 32,000 casualties in Israel’s subsequent counteroffensive in Gaza, according to figures from the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
(With inputs from agencies)
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