Netanyahu approves ground operation in Rafah, rejects Hamas’ latest truce offer
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Officers standing guard next to photos of hostages taken by Hamas during its deadly Oct 7 raids into southern Israel.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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DUBAI – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on March 15 approved plans for a military operation and civilian evacuation in Rafah – the southern Gaza city where more than a million have taken shelter – after Israel rejected the latest truce counterproposal from Hamas.
Mr Netanyahu’s office described Hamas’ latest proposal as “unrealistic”, but said a delegation would leave for Qatar to discuss Israel’s position on a potential agreement.
It said the Israeli army, meanwhile, was settling operational issues and readying the evacuation of the civilian population in Rafah in preparation for a ground operation that Mr Netanyahu had green-lit.
Mr Netanyahu “approved the operation plans” following a war Cabinet meeting in which a ceasefire deal submitted by Hamas was discussed, according to a statement.
Israeli troops are “preparing for the operational aspects and for the evacuation of the population”, it said, without indicating a timeframe.
Hamas presented a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the United States that includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences, according to a proposal seen by Reuters.
Hamas said the initial release of Israelis would include female, child, elderly and ill hostages in exchange for the release of 700 to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. The release of Israeli “female recruits” is included.
But Mr Netanyahu’s office said these proposals were still based on “unrealistic demands”.
Mr Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, told Reuters that Israel’s rejection showed that Mr Netanyahu was “determined to pursue the aggression against our people and undermine all efforts exerted to reach a ceasefire agreement”. It was up to Washington to push its ally Israel to accept a ceasefire, he said.
A ground operation in Rafah is likely to increase tensions between Israel and the US.
President Joe Biden said last week that an invasion of Rafah would represent a “red line”. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the US’ highest-ranking Jewish elected official, on March 14 called for Israeli elections and the replacement of Mr Netanyahu.
Egypt and Qatar have been trying to narrow differences between Israel and Hamas over what a ceasefire should look like, as a deepening humanitarian crisis
Egypt is seeking to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, ramp up aid deliveries and allow for displaced Palestinians in the south and centre of the enclave to move to the north, said President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on March 15.
“We are talking about reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, meaning a truce, providing the biggest quantity of aid,” he told Egypt’s police academy. He also warned against the dangers of an Israeli incursion into Rafah, on the border with Egypt.
Hamas said ceasefire negotiations faltered over the past few weeks due to Mr Netanyahu’s rejection of its demands, which include a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the return of displaced Palestinians in the south of the enclave to the centre and the north, and stepping up aid without restrictions.
In February, Hamas received a draft proposal
Release of all detainees
Israel also rejected that draft proposal, citing its long-held goal of not ending the war until it destroys Hamas. The militant group insists an agreement should end the war.
According to the latest proposal, Hamas said a date for a permanent ceasefire would be agreed upon after the initial exchange of hostages and prisoners, as well as a deadline for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The group said all detainees from both sides would be released in a second stage of the plan.
The war was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israeli towns on Oct 7
Since then, Israel’s air, sea and ground assault on Gaza has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians and wounded over 71,500, according to Gaza’s health authorities.
The conflict has spread to other parts of the volatile Middle East. Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah has frequently exchanged fire with Israel along the border.
Pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq have attacked American forces in the country, and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have attacked shipping lanes in and around the Red Sea to show their solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war.
Late on March 14, Hamas said it presented to mediators a comprehensive vision of a truce based on stopping what it called Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, providing relief and aid, the return of displaced Gazans to their homes and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
With the war now in its sixth month, the United Nations has warned that at least 576,000 people in Gaza are on the brink of famine, and global pressure has been growing on Israel to allow more access for aid. REUTERS, BLOOMBERG
