Once the Israel Defense Forces launches its military operation in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, it will be “weeks away from total victory,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CBS’s Face the Nation in an interview on Sunday.
Plans for the IDF offensive in Rafah, Hamas’s last stronghold in the Gaza Strip, were reviewed by the political echelon on Sunday, the premier said in the interview.
The potential hostages-for-ceasefire deal under discussion in Doha won’t stop the IDF from operating in the city, Netanyahu added.
“If we have a deal, it will be delayed somewhat, but it [the Battle of Rafah] will happen. If we don’t have a deal, we’ll do it anyway,” he stated. What kind of deal might Israel agree to? We pray that she will settle for nothing less than an unconditional return of all the hostages before even discussing prisoner release and/or ceasefire. The talks must also take into account the Hamas leadership enjoying their many billions away from Gaza. They cannot remain free and their funds must be frozen if the Western world is to be safe from their brand of Jihad.
Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu announced he would “convene the Cabinet to approve the operational plans for action in Rafah, including the evacuation of the civilian population.
“Only a combination of military pressure and firm negotiations will lead to the release of our hostages, the elimination of Hamas and the achievement of all the war’s objectives,” he added.
If Israel is to win this war, then the operation in Rafah needs to happen. Israel must be allowed to protect itself as it sees fit. Anything less would be a win for Hamas and a loss for Israel.
Source:
PM: Israel ‘weeks away from victory’ once IDF begins Rafah op, JNS Update Desk, February 25, 2024