Benjamin Netanyahu promises to strike Rafah as negotiations for hostages escalate

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that he is determined to press forward with an offensive in the Gazan city of Rafah, regardless of whether a ceasefire deal is reached with Hamas. In a meeting with ministers and diplomats, Netanyahu emphasized that achieving all of the war’s goals is non-negotiable.

The potential ceasefire agreement, brokered by Egypt and Qatar, would involve a six-week halt to the fighting in Gaza in exchange for the release of 33 Israeli hostages. However, Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners have threatened to bring down the government if the offensive in Rafah is halted, posing a significant challenge to any potential deal.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is set to arrive in Israel for crucial talks, described the proposal as “extraordinarily generous” on Israel’s part. Mediators have expressed optimism about a breakthrough as Israel has shown flexibility on key conditions that had previously stalled negotiations.

The stakes are high as Netanyahu faces pressure from within his coalition to prioritize the offensive in Rafah over the release of hostages. The fate of the hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners are all key components of the proposed deal.

As tensions rise within the coalition, the future of the government hangs in the balance. With the threat of snap elections looming, Netanyahu must navigate the competing demands of his coalition partners while striving to achieve a decisive victory in Gaza.