Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, affirmed plans for an Israeli ground offensive in southern Gaza’s Rafah, despite concerns about civilian casualties.
Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s determination to achieve its war objectives, including eliminating Hamas and ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat. This decision coincides with resuming talks in Doha aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel has been conducting a campaign against Hamas militants for over five months.
Netanyahu’s announcement came as Israeli cabinet members were scheduled to discuss the mandate of the negotiation team. Additionally, he planned to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is expected to reiterate his opposition to a ground offensive in Rafah. US President Joe Biden has warned that an invasion of Rafah would be a “red line” unless credible civilian protection plans are established.
The head of the UN’s World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urged Israel not to launch the assault, appealing “in the name of humanity.” Netanyahu’s office confirmed approval of the military’s plan for an operation in Rafah, although no specific timeline was provided. Despite international concerns and warnings, Israel appears poised to proceed with its offensive in pursuit of its military objectives in Gaza.
Source: Parrot Nigeria