Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has vowed to continue military operations in the refugee-dense southern Gazan city of Rafah, regardless of any cease-fire agreements reached with Hamas. Netanyahu declared that the war will not halt until all of its goals are achieved, including eliminating Hamas battalions in Rafah to achieve total victory. Rafah, located near the border of Egypt, is home to 1.5 million Palestinians and is considered one of the last remaining strongholds of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Despite international unease over the potential military operation in Rafah, Netanyahu remains steadfast in his commitment to enter the city.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas began after an attack on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1,200 Israelis. Netanyahu has made it clear that his primary objective is to wipe out Hamas’ military capabilities in Gaza. Despite the ongoing conflict, there are still several Hamas leaders at large, including Yahya Sinwar. The dense population of Palestinian refugees in Rafah has raised concerns about civilian casualties in the event of a military operation. President Biden has urged Netanyahu to avoid an incursion into Rafah without a clear plan in place to protect civilians.
Recent negotiations between Israeli and Hamas representatives, mediated by Egypt, have shown some progress. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has praised the Israeli agreement as “extraordinarily generous” and called on Hamas to take action. The proposed agreement would involve the release of around 33 hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire. Previous attempts at reaching a deal have failed, with concerns that many of the over 100 hostages are no longer alive. In November, a temporary ceasefire was achieved in exchange for the release of 100 hostages, but the progress was short-lived.
Netanyahu is facing pressure from various parties, including the United States, which is skeptical of an attack on Rafah. Israeli domestic protesters are calling for the release of the hostages, while Netanyahu’s right flank is pushing for an invasion of Rafah. Despite these challenges, Netanyahu remains determined to achieve his goals in the conflict with Hamas. President Biden has reiterated his position on Rafah during discussions with Netanyahu and urged him to consider the implications of a military operation on civilians. Netanyahu’s resolve to enter Rafah reflects his commitment to securing a total victory in the conflict with Hamas, regardless of the challenges he faces.
