Israel-Hamas battle: Rafah assault ‘on quick horizon’, UN assist chief says, as Netanyahu reaffirms want to launch offensive | World Information

An Israeli floor offensive in Rafah is “on the quick horizon”, the UN’s assist chief has warned, as Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that his forces “will enter” the southern Gaza metropolis.

Martin Griffiths stated in a press release on X on Tuesday the threatened assault would “spell much more trauma and loss of life” for these within the metropolis and “strike a disastrous blow” to the help businesses making an attempt to assist them.

“Famine is taking maintain. The foundations of battle proceed to be flouted,” he stated, including {that a} floor operation within the metropolis, the place an estimated 1.5 million displaced Gaza Palestinians are sheltering, can be “a tragedy past phrases”.

UN Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres appealed to states with affect over Israel “to do all the things of their energy” to stop an Israeli assault on Rafah.

Their feedback got here as Mr Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, reaffirmed his intention to order a long-promised assault on the town, regardless of the response by Hamas to the newest ceasefire proposals.

Mr Netanyahu stated Israel would enter Rafah, which it says is Hamas’s final stronghold, no matter whether or not a truce-for-hostages deal is struck.

In a press release from his workplace, he stated: “The concept that we are going to cease the battle earlier than reaching all of its objectives is out of the query. We are going to enter Rafah and we are going to get rid of Hamas’s battalions there – with or with out a deal, to attain the entire victory.”

His feedback gave the impression to be directed at his nationalist governing companions, who’ve pressured him to not settle for a deal that may forestall an assault on the town.

Mr Netanyahu appeared to reassure one in all them, nationwide safety minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose workplace stated the chief promised him “Israel will enter Rafah, we’re not stopping the battle and there will not be a reckless deal”.

The US has repeatedly stated it opposes the Rafah operation till Israel presents a reputable plan for evacuating and defending these within the metropolis.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken, talking in Jordan earlier than flying to Israel, to assist advance the newest spherical of ceasefire talks, urged Hamas to reply to Israel’s newest ceasefire plan, saying: “No extra delays. No extra excuses. The time to behave is now.”

Negotiations geared toward releasing hostages, bringing reduction to civilians and averting an Israeli offensive into Rafah look like gaining power.

Learn extra:
Hamas releases video of hostages
Assist charity to renew operations following killing of assist staff

The close to seven-month battle started when Hamas fighters killed round 1,200 individuals and took some 250 Israelis and foreigners hostage of their 7 October incursion into southern Israel.

It prompted Israel’s assault on Gaza, because it pledged to destroy Hamas and produce the hostages house.

Greater than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in the course of the Israel-Hamas battle, based on native well being officers, who say about two-thirds of the lifeless are ladies and kids.