Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly dismissed a Gaza ceasefire proposal, despite its acceptance by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.
The Palestinian faction announced on Monday evening its acceptance of a ceasefire plan mediated by Qatar and Egypt.
However, in a video statement, Netanyahu declared, “Israel cannot accept a proposal that endangers the safety of our citizens and the future of our country.” He asserted that the proposal aimed to hinder Israeli forces’ entry into Rafah, a claim he disputed, emphasising that the proposal fell significantly short of Israel’s essential demands.
Netanyahu highlighted Israel’s recent military actions in Rafah, stating, ”Within hours, our forces raised the Israeli flags at the Rafah Crossing and took down the Hamas flags.” He emphasised the necessity of military pressure on Hamas for the safe return of Israeli hostages.
The Israeli army confirmed on Tuesday that its 401st Armoured Brigade had gained control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah Crossing in southern Gaza. The Rafah border crossing serves as a critical route for humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, which has faced a severe Israeli blockade since October 7, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the territory.
Israeli forces issued evacuation orders for Palestinians in eastern Rafah on Monday, a move perceived as a prelude to an anticipated Israeli offensive on the city, home to approximately 1.5 million displaced Palestinians, including women, children, and the elderly.
Since October 7, Israel has launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the October 7 attack, resulting in significant casualties and injuries among Palestinians. However, reports from Haaretz suggest that Israeli military actions have resulted in the deaths of numerous soldiers and civilians claimed by Israel to have been killed by Hamas.
Seven months into the Israeli conflict, extensive destruction has been wrought upon Gaza, leading to internal displacement for 85% of the enclave’s population. The UN and various world leaders have decried the blockade’s impact on access to essential resources like food, water, and medicine.
Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, with an interim ruling in January urging the cessation of genocidal acts and the provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza civilians.