Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the approval of a plan to enter Rafah, southern Gaza, aiming to eliminate Hamas. He stated, “There is no victory over Hamas without our forces entering Rafah.” During a press conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu emphasized overcoming all pressures and entering Rafah despite opposition from U.S. President Joe Biden.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to bringing back all captives, both alive and deceased. Regarding calls for early elections, Netanyahu mentioned that going to elections without achieving war objectives would impact the negotiations for the return of captives. He stressed that negotiations should be conducted calmly and persistently.
Netanyahu also said he would quickly resume his duties after undergoing surgery for a hernia discovered during a routine check-up. Despite being engaged in the ongoing war with Hamas for almost six months, Netanyahu, aged 74, has maintained his full schedule and is reportedly in good health, although he had previously concealed a long-known heart condition for which he had a pacemaker installed last year.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a critical point following recent escalations. The health sector is under severe strain, with a “catastrophic” shortage of medical supplies reported by the Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) group. Hospitals are facing dire shortages of emergency, trauma, and surgical supplies, and are operating on external generators due to widespread power outages, putting thousands of patients, including those in critical condition, at immediate risk. The situation is further exacerbated by the closure of several hospitals due to bombings. Newborns in incubators and 50,000 pregnant women are particularly vulnerable, as many hospitals have been damaged. The WHO has documented significant attacks on healthcare facilities, leading to the deaths of health workers and the damage of ambulances.
On the international stage, discussions are ongoing regarding the crisis, with US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken asserting Israel’s right to defend itself while emphasizing the need for protecting Palestinian civilians and considering humanitarian pauses. The Russian Federation and Iran have criticized the current draft resolution from the United States for lacking a call for an unconditional ceasefire. The Arab Group and Egypt have voiced their concerns about the spiraling violence and the indiscriminate impact on civilians, calling for immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis and respect for international law
