Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a Gaza ceasefire proposal, despite Hamas, the Palestinian resistance group, accepting the plan mediated by Qatar and Egypt.
Hamas announced on Monday evening that they had agreed to the ceasefire proposal, but Netanyahu responded in a video statement, stating, “Israel cannot accept a proposal that jeopardizes the safety of our citizens and the future of our country.” He argued that the proposal aimed to prevent Israeli forces from entering Rafah, a claim he disputed, and said it did not meet Israel’s key demands.
Netanyahu highlighted recent Israeli military actions in Rafah, stating, “Our forces raised the Israeli flags at the Rafah Crossing within hours and removed the Hamas flags.” He emphasized the need for military pressure on Hamas to secure the safe return of Israeli hostages.
On Tuesday, the Israeli army confirmed that its 401st Armoured Brigade had taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah Crossing in southern Gaza. The Rafah border crossing is crucial for humanitarian aid into Gaza, which has been under a severe Israeli blockade since October 7, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Israeli forces issued evacuation orders for Palestinians in eastern Rafah on Monday, hinting at a potential Israeli offensive on the city, which is home to about 1.5 million displaced Palestinians, including women, children, and the elderly.
Since October 7, Israel has conducted airstrikes on Gaza in retaliation for attacks, causing significant casualties among Palestinians. Israeli military actions have resulted in deaths of soldiers and civilians, which Israel claims were caused by Hamas.
Seven months into the conflict, Gaza has suffered extensive destruction, displacing 85% of the population internally. The UN and world leaders have criticized the blockade’s impact on access to essential resources like food, water, and medicine.
Israel is facing accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, with an interim ruling in January calling for an end to genocidal acts and provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza civilians.
