Israel will invade Rafah with or without hostage deal – Netanyahu

The prime minister directly contradicted his own foreign minister, who promised to suspend the operation if Hamas released its captives

Israel will send troops into the city of Rafah regardless of whether it reaches a ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz previously promised to cancel the controversial operation in exchange for the captives.

“The idea that we will stop the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question,” Netanyahu said in a statement from his office. “We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate Hamas’ battalions there — with or without a deal, to achieve total victory.”

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