Despite the world is buzzing over news that Hamas accepted a hostage deal, here in Israel no one is reporting that. Prime Minister Netanyahu even said Tuesday night that “The Hamas proposal is very far from [meeting] Israel’s requirements.”
Here are Netanyahu’s Tuesday night remarks translated:
“Last night, with the consent of the War Cabinet, I directed [that the IDF] act in Rafah. They raised Israeli flags at the Rafah Crossing and took down the Hamas flags. The entry into Rafah serves two of the main objectives of the war: Returning our hostages and eliminating Hamas.We have already proven, in the previous release of hostages, that military pressure on Hamas is an essential condition for the return of our hostages. The Hamas proposal yesterday was designed to torpedo the entry of our forces into Rafah. That did not happen.
As the War Cabinet unanimously determined, the Hamas proposal was very far from Israel’s core demands.Israel will not allow Hamas to restore its regime of evil in the Strip. Israel will not allow it to rebuild its military capabilities in order to continue striving for our destruction. Israel cannot accept a proposal that endangers the security of our citizens and the future of our state.
Therefore, I have instructed the ranking delegation that left for Cairo: Continue to insist on the necessary conditions for the release of our hostages. Continue to strongly insist on the demands that are essential for ensuring the security of Israel.
Defense Minister Gallant also spoke. Here are excerpts from the Minister’s remarks:
“I toured [by] the Rafah area today and met the commanders and soldiers operating there. I want to remind everyone something crucial – the murderers [Hamas terrorists] who went to [the Israeli communities of] Sufa, to Holit, and also targeted Yated, Yevul, Neveh and other local communities, came from the Rafah area. We are targeting [the terrorists] who murdered our children.”
“Yesterday, I directed the IDF to enter the Rafah area, take the crossing, and carry out its missions. This operation will continue until we eliminate Hamas in the Rafah area and the entire Gaza Strip, or until the first hostage returns.”
“We are willing to make compromises in order to bring back hostages, but if that option is removed, we will go on and ‘deepen’ the operation- this will happen all over the [Gaza] Strip – in the south, in the center and in the north. Hamas only responds to force, so we will intensify our actions, and the military pressure will result in us crushing the Hamas [terrorist] organization.”
Israel’s Haaretz newspaper has an exclusive story out today reporting that Israel agreed to restrict its Rafah operation and that the country agreed with the United States and Egypt that a private American security company will manage the crossing after the IDF finishes its operation in Rafah.
Israeli tanks conducted a targeted operation in the southern Gaza Strip, capturing the Palestinian side of the Rafah Crossing on the border with Egypt. The incursion aimed to pressure Hamas to accept a deal, following the rejection of a truce offer. The IDF claims it was a limited operation, seizing key areas in Rafah. The offensive resulted in the capture of the crossing and the destruction of Hamas infrastructure. Despite opposition from the US, Israel pursued the operation in Rafah to address security concerns and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Two reserve soldiers were killed in a Hezbollah drone attack near Metula in northern Israel. The IDF attempted but failed to intercept the explosive drone. Reserves Master Sgt. Dan Kamkagi and reserves officer Master Sgt. Nahman Natan Hertz were identified as the victims. Another soldier sustained light injuries. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack, which prompted IDF airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. Ongoing skirmishes along the border have resulted in casualties on both sides, with Israel threatening further action if Hezbollah continues to pose a threat to northern communities.
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