PM Netanyahu Ensures Isreal Holds Military Operations In Rafah As Gaza's Death Toll Continues To Increase

PM Netanyahu chaired the Israeli War Cabinet meeting. (Source: GPO/Kobi Gideon)

JAKARTA - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the Israeli military would continue its military operations in Gaza by attacking Rafah, warding off international pressure, despite efforts by negotiations to reach a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.

Speaking at Sunday's cabinet meeting, PM Netanyahu said Israel would surrender Rafah, the only relatively safe territory in Gaza so far in a war that has been going on for five months.

"We will operate in Rafah, and that will happen," he said, without explaining whether he meant the attack would last for weeks or would start in a few weeks.

Israel's allies have repeatedly urged PM Netanyahu not to attack Rafah, where more than one million refugees from other regions in the destroyed enclave seek refuge, without plans to protect civilians.

On the other hand, efforts by the negotiations to reach a ceasefire continue. Hamas submitted a proposal for a new ceasefire last week, including the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli security cabinet will meet to discuss this before the delegation leaves his country.

PM Netanyahu has said that the proposal is based on "unrealistic demands". However, a Palestinian official familiar with mediation efforts said the chances of reaching an agreement appeared better, as Hamas had provided further details on the proposed prisoner swap.

"The mediators feel positive about Hamas' new proposal. Some people in Israel feel the group has made some improvements over the previous position and is now in Netanyahu's hands to determine whether an agreement will be reached soon," said the official, who asked not to be named.

Separately, nineteen-two people have been killed in Gaza over the past 24 hours, leaving the death toll of Palestinians to 31,645 since the October 7 attack, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza Sunday, quoted by CNN.

In addition, 130 people have been injured in the last 24 hours, added the ministry, bringing the total number of injured victims to 73,676.

Many of the victims were still trapped under the rubble and on the road, so ambulances and civilian defense crews could not reach them, the ministry said.