In a bold statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his country’s army would launch an attack on the city of Rafah to eliminate Hamas battalions, regardless of whether a truce was in place. Netanyahu explained that there was no other option but to attack Rafah to destroy the Hamas battalions and achieve all the operation’s objectives, including bringing all hostages home. He also confirmed that civilians in Rafah would be evacuated, although the timing of the operation was not yet announced.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of reaching an armistice agreement brokered by Egypt and Qatar. He called on Hamas to accept the truce and release the hostages without delay or excuses, expressing hope for a lasting peace agreement in the region. Hamas had been considering a 40-day ceasefire and an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners following talks in Cairo with US, Egyptian, and Qatari delegations.

However, despite US support for Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip, international pressure was placed on Tel Aviv to reconsider its plans to attack Rafah. The international community expressed concerns about the potential humanitarian disaster that could result from such an attack. The situation remained tense as negotiations continued and decisions were pending on potential next steps for all parties involved.