Netanyahu approves military operation in Rafah – Diario La Página – 2024-03-29 11:20:55

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved this Friday (03/15/2024) plans for a military operation in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, according to his office.

In parallel with the operational deployment, the army is preparing to evacuate the civilian population, a statement said.

The move comes despite growing international criticism against a possible operation in Rafah, as more than a million Palestinians are taking refuge there after fleeing fighting elsewhere in Gaza.

Netanyahu also reiterated that the Hamas terrorist group’s proposal for a ceasefire in the enclave was “unrealistic,” and announced the sending of a delegation to Qatar to resume negotiations.

The Islamist movement said on Thursday that it had presented a new proposal, which included ending the fighting in Gaza, sending aid to the population and releasing people kidnapped in Israel in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons.

However, the group continues to insist on the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the coastal area, which Israel rejects.

Al Jazeera television reported on Friday that Hamas had presented a proposal in three phases of 42 days each, which includes the condition that a permanent ceasefire be made in the second phase, before the release of Israeli soldiers. .

Furthermore, for every Israeli soldier, 50 Palestinian prisoners in Israel would be released, including 30 sentenced to life imprisonment.