Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Hamas’ demands for a cease-fire and has vowed to continue Israel’s military offensive in Gaza until achieving what he calls “absolute victory.” Despite warnings from humanitarian agencies about dire consequences, Netanyahu has ordered the Israel Defense Forces to prepare to push into the southern Gaza city of Rafah. This decision comes shortly after his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has been traveling across the region in an effort to secure a cease-fire agreement.
The United States has been urging Israel to adjust its tactics in Gaza due to the soaring death toll. According to officials in the Hamas-run enclave, the death toll is nearing 28,000, with many casualties being women and children. However, Hamas officials do not differentiate between combatants and civilians in their statistics.
Netanyahu stated that Israel is on the path to “absolute victory” and that the military operation in Gaza will last months, not years. He firmly believes that there is no other solution and that agreeing to Hamas’ proposed terms would only invite another massacre. Hamas’ brutal terror attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the hostage-taking of over 200 others, sparked the current war in the densely-populated Gaza Strip. Hamas has been in control of Gaza for almost two decades.
Netanyahu categorically ruled out any arrangement that would leave Hamas in full or partial control of Gaza, as proposed by the group. He emphasized that Israel is the only power capable of guaranteeing long-term security. Additionally, Netanyahu called for the replacement of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, which is currently facing an investigation commissioned by the U.N. after Israel accused a dozen of its staff members of participating in the Oct. 7 terror attack.
The meeting between Netanyahu and Blinken took place in West Jerusalem, and the U.S. Secretary of State was scheduled to give a news conference later in the day. The situation between Israel and Hamas remains tense, with no immediate resolution in sight. The international community continues to monitor the developments closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
