© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Convention of Presidents of Main American Jewish Organizations, amid the continued battle between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Jerusalem, February 18, 2024. REUTER
FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned on Sunday that at the least 13,000 “terrorists” had been amongst Palestinians killed throughout Israel’s struggle in opposition to Hamas within the Gaza Strip and vowed to press forward with an offensive within the south of the enclave – a transfer U.S. President Joe Biden has described as his “crimson line.”
Almost 31,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza through the 5 month lengthy struggle, that started after Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 individuals and seizing 253 hostages, in keeping with Israeli tallies.
The Gaza well being ministry doesn’t break down the loss of life toll between civilians and Hamas militants however has mentioned that 72% of these killed had been girls and youngsters. Hamas dismisses Israel’s toll for militants as makes an attempt to painting “faux victories”.
Netanyahu instructed German media firm Axel Springer, which owns Politico and Germany’s Bild newspaper and broadcaster Welt TV, that extending Israel’s offensive into Rafah in southern Gaza was key to defeating Hamas.
“We’re very near victory … As soon as we start navy motion in opposition to the remaining terror battalions in Rafah, it is just a query of weeks” till the intensive section of combating is concluded, Bild newspaper quoted Netanyahu as saying.
Biden and his aides have urged Netanyahu in robust phrases to not launch a serious offensive in Rafah till Israel crafts a plan for mass evacuation of civilians. Greater than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million persons are sheltering within the Rafah space.
Requested by MSNBC on Saturday whether or not an invasion of Rafah could be a crimson line, Biden mentioned: “It’s a crimson line however I am by no means going to go away Israel. The protection of Israel remains to be vital. So there is not any crimson line (wherein) I’ll reduce off all weapons so they do not have the Iron Dome to guard them.”
Politico quoted Netanyahu as saying on Sunday that Israeli forces would push into Rafah, including: “You already know, I’ve a crimson line. You already know what the crimson line is, that October 7 would not occur once more. By no means occurs once more.”
Three quarters of Hamas battalions had been destroyed and halting the offensive now would solely enable them to regroup, Bild quoted Netanyahu as saying.