Israel To Extend Military Operations into Rafah, Ignoring International Calls for Restraint
By The Media Line Staff
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday dismissed mounting international pressure for a cease-fire in Gaza, announcing plans to intensify military efforts in Rafah, despite warnings from aid agencies of an impending famine in the enclave.
In a cabinet meeting statement, Netanyahu declared, “We will operate in Rafah. This will take several weeks, and it will happen,” signaling a determined continuation of the more than five-month-long military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. This move comes amid resumed cease-fire negotiations and dire warnings from international allies urging Israel to reconsider its military strategy to protect civilians in Rafah, where over a million displaced individuals have sought refuge.
Netanyahu’s stance has sparked significant controversy, especially in light of recent comments from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who emphasized that an assault on Rafah could severely complicate regional peace efforts. “Efforts now are about ensuring we come to a long-lasting cease-fire,” Scholz remarked during a visit to Jordan ahead of his planned trip to Israel.
The Israeli Prime Minister criticized the international community’s memory of recent events, referencing the October 7 massacre, which he described as “the most horrific massacre of Jews since the Holocaust,” perpetrated by Hamas terrorists who killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages, triggering a massive Israeli retaliation in Gaza.
According to Hamas-run health authorities in Gaza, Israel’s ongoing military operations have resulted in over 31,600 deaths, widespread displacement, and the looming threat of famine, as reported by aid agencies. The dire humanitarian situation has prompted the distribution of flour and other supplies in northern Gaza, a region that has not received aid for four months.
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