Netanyahu still set on Rafah invasion despite peace talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to launch an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering from the war.

His vow came just as ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas appear to be gaining steam and hours before US secretary of state Antony Blinken was due in Israel to advance the truce talks.

The deal is to free hostages, bring some relief to the population and avert a Rafah offensive but Mr Netanyahu said Israel would enter the city, viewed as Hamas’s last stronghold, regardless of whether a truce-forhostages deal is struck.

His comments seemed geared to appease his nationalist governing partners but it was not clear if they would have any bearing on any emerging deal with Hamas.

“The idea that we will stop the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question,” Mr Netanyahu said, according to a statement from his office. “We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate Hamas’s battalions there – with or without a deal, to achieve the total victory.”

The US has repeatedly opposed the Rafah operation until Israel presents a credible plan to evacuate and protect the estimated 1.5 million people sheltering there.

Mr Blinken, speaking in Jordan before flying to Israel, said the “focus” right now is on improving the humanitarian situation and reaching a ceasefire deal that brings Israeli hostages home.

He said Israel has offered a “strong proposal” and called on Hamas to respond.

Mr Netanyahu has faced pressure from his governing partners not to proceed with a deal that might prevent a Rafah invasion.

His government could fall if he makes a deal as hardline cabinet members want the attack.

Yesterday Mr Netanyahu was addressing the Tikva Forum, a small group of families of hostages distinct from the main group representing the families of captives, which has indicated it prefers to see Hamas crushed over the freedom of loved ones.

Most families and their supporters want a deal that brings the hostages home to take precedence over military action.

Mr Netanyahu’s coalition could collapse if one of the parties opposed to a deal pulls out, a scenario he would try to avoid considering his support has plummeted in opinion polls since the war began.

Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, who heads the Religious Zionist party, said on Monday he was seeking “total annihilation” of Israel’s enemies, appearing to refer to Hamas, in a recorded portion of his remarks at an event marking the end of the Passover holiday which were aired in Israeli media.

The current deal being discussed would see the release of dozens of hostages in exchange for a six-week halt in fighting as part of an initial phase, according to an Egyptian official and Israeli media.

Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel would also be freed.

Mr Blinken urged Hamas on Monday to accept the latest proposal, calling it “extraordinarily generous” on Israel’s part.

But a sticking point is what happens next. Hamas wants assurances that an eventual release of all hostages will end Israel’s nearly seven-month assault in Gaza and a withdrawal of its troops.

Israel has offered only an extended pause, vowing to resume its offensive once the first phase of the deal is over.

The war in Gaza has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, and driven around 80% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million from their homes.

AFTERMATH: Ruined buildings in Rafah, in the Gaza Strip, are searched for survivors following Israeli air strikes.