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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday forcefully defended his military’s looming operation in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, an area packed with more than 1 million Palestinians who have fled there over the past several months.
Even as international opposition mounts, Mr. Netanyahu cast the move into Rafah as a necessary step in fully defeating Hamas, the terrorist group that launched an Oct. 7 assault that killed more than 1,200 Israelis. The Israeli leader blamed Hamas for the Palestinians now in harm’s way and said he is doing everything in his power to get civilians to safety.
“We’re not cavalier about this. This is part of our war effort to get civilians out of harm’s way. It’s part of Hamas’ effort to keep them in harm’s way,” Mr. Netanyahu told ABC’s “This Week.” “But we’ve so far succeeded, and we’re going to succeed again. Those who say that under no circumstances should we enter Rafah are basically saying lose the war, keep Hamas there. And Hamas has promised to do the Oct. 7 massacre over and over and over again.”
“We have to win this war, but take due caution and due precautions, as we are … to get the population out of harm’s way,” he said. “Victory is within reach. It has to be understood. And victory will be the best thing that will happen not only for Israel, but for the Palestinians themselves. I can’t see a future for the Palestinians or for peace in the Middle East if Hamas is victorious.”
The United Nations, and governments around the world, have sounded the alarm on what they fear is an inevitable humanitarian catastrophe that would unfold in Rafah if the Israeli military moves in.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, for example, condemned “in the strongest terms the Israeli threats to storm the city of Rafah.” Other Middle Eastern nations have raised similar objections.
Hamas leaders reportedly said that an operation in Rafah would imperil any remaining prospects of a deal to free the more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas inside Gaza.
Mr. Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to reaching an agreement that would free those prisoners, even as some domestic critics say he has prioritized the attack on Hamas over rescuing the hostages.
“I think the families of the hostages are in a terrible bind. I mean, it just tears your heart out to listen to them and to think about what their relatives are going through. I’m committed to getting them out. We’ll make every effort,” the Israeli prime minister said Sunday.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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