Israel said its war on Hamas in Gaza will continue all year after it sent tanks on raids into Rafah. This comes after Washington said the Rafah assault did not amount to a major ground operation that would trigger a change in US policy.
Israeli tanks move into Rafah
Israeli tanks moved into the heart of Rafah for the first time on Tuesday. This is despite an order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to end its attacks on the city. This is where many Palestinians had taken refuge from widespread bombardment.
Rafah residents said the tanks had pushed into Tel Al-Sultan in western Rafah and Yibna, and near Shaboura in the centre. After this, they retreated towards a buffer zone on the border with Egypt.
Distress calls in Tel Al- Sultan
Deputy director of ambulance and emergency services in Rafah, Haitham al Hams, said that they had received distress calls from residents in Tel Al-Sultan. This is where drones targeted displaced citizens as they moved from areas where they were staying toward the safe areas.
Israel said its military controls three-quarters of the buffer zone on the Egyptian border. It added that it aimed to control all of it to prevent Hamas smuggling in weapons. Palestinian Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan said there was no indication the Rafah border crossing would be reopened for aid any time soon.
War will continue till end of 2024, says Israeli government
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi confirmed fighting in Gaza would continue throughout 2024 at least. Hanegbi said Israel was not ready to end the war as demanded by Hamas. Hamas had proposed a deal that would see the exchange of hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners.
“The fighting in Rafah is not a pointless war.”
Hanegbi said the aim was to end Hamas’ rule in Gaza and stop it and its allies attacking Israel.
Meanwhile, Qatar passed on Israel’s latest ceasefire and hostage release proposal to Hamas. There was no immediate word on Hamas on Wednesday. Hamas has said talks are pointless unless Israel ends its offensive on Rafah.
With inputs from Reuters
