Key PointsBenjamin Netanyahu says Israel halted negotiations with Hamas attributable to “delusional” calls for.Israel’s prime minister stated there was no cause to proceed talks till Hamas made modifications to its calls for.Netanyahu additionally stated Israel would push ahead with a army marketing campaign into the border metropolis of Rafah.
Israel despatched negotiators for truce talks in Cairo as requested by US President Joe Biden however they didn’t return for additional talks as a result of Hamas’ calls for are “delusional,” based on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu additionally stated Israel wouldn’t give in to “worldwide dictates” concerning a statehood settlement with the Palestinians, which he stated may solely be reached by way of direct negotiations with out preconditions.
The Egyptian and Qatari-mediated talks to attempt to attain a ceasefire in Gaza and safe the discharge of over 100 Israeli hostages being held within the Hamas-ruled territory have but to provide outcomes.
When requested why Israeli negotiators didn’t return for additional talks, Netanyahu stated Israel “obtained nothing aside from delusional calls for from Hamas.”
He stated these calls for included ending the battle and leaving Hamas as it’s, releasing “1000’s of murderers” from Israeli jails, and even calls for concerning a flashpoint holy website in Jerusalem generally known as the Temple Mount in Judaism and the Noble Sanctuary in Islam.
Netanyahu additionally pledged to push on with the army marketing campaign and stated troops would transfer into the southern border metropolis of Rafah, regardless of worldwide considerations.
He stated Israel was intent on taking out Hamas battalions within the metropolis, Rafah and that there could be room to evacuate the inhabitants.
“However we have to remember to do that in an orderly vogue. That is the directive I gave to the IDF (Israel Protection Forces). The IDF is doing it and getting ready it.”
“Sure, there’s numerous opposition on this planet, however that is precisely the second we’ve to face and say ‘we won’t do half the work or three-quarters of the work’.”
Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh blamed Israel for a scarcity of progress in reaching a ceasefire deal in Gaza, the group stated in an announcement on Saturday.
Haniyeh added that Hamas wouldn’t settle for something lower than an entire cessation of hostilities, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and “lifting of the unjust siege,” in addition to a launch of Palestinian prisoners serving lengthy sentences in Israeli jails.
Israel’s air and floor offensive has devastated a lot of Gaza and compelled almost all of its inhabitants from their houses. Palestinian well being authorities say 28,858 individuals, principally civilians, have been killed.
The battle started when Hamas despatched fighters into Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 individuals, principally civilians, and seizing 253 hostages, based on Israeli tallies.
At the least 83 individuals have been killed in airstrikes throughout the Gaza Strip since Friday, well being officers stated, together with one particular person on Saturday in Rafah, an space that borders Egypt and which Israel says is Hamas’ final bastion.
Residents and medics stated extra died as evening fell on Saturday when Israeli warplanes carried a number of airstrikes on at the least seven homes, killing and wounding dozens of individuals.
