Netanyahu Ordered Israel To Invade Rafah, Saying The Ceasefire Deal Was "Very Far From Its Requirements"
“Israel will not allow Hamas to restore its evil rule in the Gaza Strip, Israel will not allow it to restore its military capabilities to continue striving for our destruction,” Netanyahu said.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a statement on why he rejected the ceasefire proposal by Egypt and Qatar and vowed to continue military operations in Rafah.
On Tuesday, May 7, Netanyahu stated that the ceasefire proposal, which was mediated by Qatar and Egypt was “very far from Israel’s requirements” and stated that Hamas only agreed to the proposal “to stop the entry of [Israel’s] forces in Rafah.”
The three-phase ceasefire deal would have led to the release of all hostages on both sides and Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza, initiating steps toward a lasting peace.
In his statement, Netanyahu said that Israel’s invasion of Rafah will help to bring back the hostages and eliminate Hamas, adding that “ military pressure on Hamas is a precondition for the return of the hostages.”
“Israel will not allow Hamas to restore its evil rule in the Gaza Strip, Israel will not allow it to restore its military capabilities to continue striving for our destruction,” he said. “Israel cannot accept a proposal that endangers the security of our citizens and the future of our country.”
He added that he had sent a delegation to Cairo to discuss the deal, saying that he had instructed the team to Continue to “stand firm on the conditions necessary for the release of our hostages and the essential requirements for guaranteeing Israel’s security”.
Netanyahu also confirmed that he had ordered Israel’s military to invade Rafah, and that Israeli forces had taken over the Rafah crossing to Egypt.
The Rafah crossing is the only way to enter Egypt from Gaza and had been the “lifeblood” for the small amounts of aid entering Gaza since Oct. 7.
The Gaza Strip is now completely cut off from the rest of the region and the world.
Israel killed at least 35 Palestinians and injured 129 others, in the past 24 hours in Rafah.
Cherry Mohamed
Cherry Mohamed
Kassy Cho
