Netanyahu: IDF Will Enter Rafah Regardless of Hostage Deal
Prime Minister Netanyahu: “If we have a deal, it will be delayed somewhat, but it will happen.”
Israel was determined to capture the last-standing terrorist stronghold of Rafah regardless of the outcome of ongoing hostage negotiations with the terror group Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the CBS News on Sunday.
A temporary ceasefire agreed under a possible hostage deal may delay the Israeli offensive on Rafah, but the country was committed to driving out Hamas from Gaza, the Israeli leader vowed. “If we have a deal, it will be delayed somewhat, but it will happen,” prime minister Netanyahu said. “If we don’t have a deal, we’ll do it anyway,” he added. (Read the full transcript of Netanyahu’s interview on Face the Nation here.)
On Saturday, media reports suggested that Hamas had ‘softened’ its stance and was willing to lower its demands for the releasing close to hundred Israel hostages after nearly twenty weeks of captivity. The Sky News (UK) reported that “[t]here has been “progress” in talks on a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas in Paris after the group “dropped some of its demands”.” The unspecified concessions were made by Hamas during the recently concluded talks in Paris.
Netanyahu’s statement comes as Israel’s wartime cabinet is set to approve a military and humanitarian plan for capturing Rafah aimed at eliminating Hamas’s Gaza-based terrorist leadership, freeing the remaining hostages and minimizing civilian casualties. The Israel prime minister “says the cabinet will convene next week to approve the IDF’s plans for Rafah, including the evacuation of civilians from the area,” The Times of Israel reported Saturday.
The Jerusalem Post reported prime minister’s comments:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an early Sunday morning interview with CBS, told the broadcaster that the IDF was heading into Gaza’s Rafah and that plans for such an operation would be approved that day, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) stated.
Reporting on Netanyahu’s remarks in the CBS interview, Reuters noted that the operation would include a plan to facilitate the evacuation of Palestinian civilians, as well as an assault on the local Hamas battalions.
“We are working on a hostage deal. I want a deal to release the hostages, and I appreciate the efforts of the United States. I do not know if we will get a deal, but if Hamas comes down to a reasonable situation, there will be a deal,” Netanyahu said during the interview, Maariv quoted the prime minister as stating.
“If we have a deal, it will be delayed somewhat, but it will happen,” Reuters quoted Netanyahu as saying. “If we don’t have a deal, we’ll do it anyway,” he told CBS.
IDF preparing groundwork for Rafah anti-terror offensive
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are already preparing the groundwork for an offensive on Rafah, the southernmost part of Gaza located on Egyptian border, Israeli media reports indicate.
“Israel is preparing to destroy the presence of the four remaining Hamas battalions in Rafah, located in the south of the Gaza Strip, and is intensifying its exchanges with Egypt to prevent any tension,” the Israeli TV channel i24NEWS reported Sunday. “Furthermore, Jerusalem will work closely with Cairo to plan the construction of an underground barrier aimed at preventing future infiltrations into Gaza, according to Israeli media reporting.”
The IDF releases new footage from the operations of the Egoz commando unit in southern Gaza's Khan Younis.
In one encounter, the IDF says Egoz troops using a drone spotted two gunmen hiding in a building. Following a lengthy gun battle, during which troops attempted to flush the… pic.twitter.com/xaBP8do5bD
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 25, 2024
IDF catches Hamas terrorists attempting to flee southern Gaza using humanitarian corridors
As Israeli ground troops tighten the noose around Hamas strongholds, the terrorists are using humanitarian corridors to escape fighting and melt into Gaza’s population. The military captured several Hamas terrorists attempting to flee southern Gaza using humanitarian corridor, the IDF revealed Sunday.
“IDF troops are continuing their operational activity in western Khan Yunis,” the military disclosed in a press statement. “Over the past day, during efforts to evacuate the civilian population from combat zones, the troops identified and apprehended terrorists who had attempted to escape by hiding amongst the civilians.”
IDF: Soldier believed to be captive in Gaza murdered on October 7, body held by terrorists
The IDF on Sunday announced that one of its soldiers, 20-year-old Ido Eli Zrihen, presumed to be among the 253 hostages taken captive by Hamas on October 7, was killed during the initial massacre and his body was taken by the terrorists to Gaza. The revelation is based on newly-uncovered intelligence, news reports day.
Israeli is seeking to free remaining 136 hostages, including women and children, taken by Hamas on October 7. Several of them may have been murdered or succumbed to Hamas torture, intelligence sources believe.
The Israel news website Ynet reported:
Earlier Sunday, the IDF announced that Staff Sergeant Ido Eli Zrihen, 20, from Jerusalem and Staff Sergeant Narya Belete, 21, from Shavei Shomron, both of the Givati Brigade’s reconnaissance unit, were killed in a battle in southern Gaza. Three others were badly hurt in the same battle.
Zrihen will be laid to rest later on Sunday in the military cemetery at Mt. Herzl.
Belete comes from a family that immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia and was the second-born child out of six. He was buried in the military cemetery in Netanya.
Since October 7, 579 IDF soldiers have been killed, 239 of them since the beginning of the ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. There are 317 wounded soldiers hospitalized for injuries sustained in fighting, including 29 in serious condition. Since the outbreak of the war, 2,965 soldiers have been injured, 453 of them in serious condition.
More heartbreak – Another victim of Hamas terror announced: 19-year-old IDF Sergeant Oz Daniel, who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, was found to have been murdered by the terrorists. His body is currently being held by Hamas in Gaza. May his memory be a blessing. pic.twitter.com/q6t76eSKlj
— Michael Dickson (@michaeldickson) February 25, 2024
Hamas shocked by Israeli response to October 7 massacre, senior operative claims
Senior Hamas terror operative, Mousa Abu Marzouk, claimed in an Arabic TV interview that the Islamic terrorist group was taken aback by the Israel’s military response to the horrific mass-killings of its civilians on October 7. Abu Marzouk, member of of Hamas’s so-called Political Bureau, claimed that not just Israel, but the U.S. and the West was waging a “world war” on them.
Senior Hamas Official Mousa Abu Marzouk: Nobody Could Have Anticipated the Consequences of October 7; We Did Not Expect a Barbaric World War against Us, in Violation of International Law #Hamas #Palestinians #October7massacre pic.twitter.com/H9x95vPk5b
— MEMRI (@MEMRIReports) February 25, 2024
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I love these new Jews with gonads! So refreshing that they are finally not giving in to all the pressure being heaped upon them.
As a wise old Rabi once said, fuck Joe Biden.
“Since the outbreak of the war, 2,965 soldiers have been injured, 453 of them in serious condition.”
All the Pales are not worth as much as these soldiers.
There’s a great poster that came out maybe 25-30 years ago. You see a couple F-18s with Stars of David on them. The caption read
Jews. Not so easy to fuck with any more.
Israel is standing firm as they should against the monstrosity that is Hamas.
Unconditional surrender and return of all hostages. No concessions.
In the battle of good vs evil there is no option other than total victory over evil.
Stay safe, IDF. And good hunting.
I know the IDF soldiers are Jewish but I am sure they appreciate all prayers, including Catholic prayers as they prepare for battle.
“Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel”
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, (and Hamas), we humbly pray; and do you, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and the other evil spirits, (especially Hamas), who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
FYI, Ghostie — I go to mass before work several mornings a week. (Mass takes about 25 minutes and sermons are about 3 minutes max.)
We say that prayer at the end of each mass.
So do. I attend Mass daily and my parish, which is traditional and has a conservative congregation, say the prayer at the end of every Mass. It’s wonderful.
First month there were interviews with self-identified Christian and Muslim IDF in uniform, participating in the response. Haven’t seen any of that lately. There were videos of civilian buffets, gear drives, and communication help including orthodox-dressed volunteers.
Most of the IDF is Jewish, obviously, but, the force also boasts non-Jewish, Druze members.
And, Christianity emerged from Judaism, so, your prayers are appreciated by the theologically enlightened.
Actually, there are Druze, Bedouin and Christian Arab IDF members also.
Not all of the soldiers are Jewish. I’m sure that all of the soldiers appreciate your prayers.
Also Muslim. And Druze. And Christian.
IDF must enter Rafah and locate all of the cross border tunnels leading into Egypt. I suspect the latest halt is due to an attempt to conceal those tunnel entry points – the exits in Egypt will reveal those complicit in weapons transfers to Hamas.
I just the whole interview. Netanyahu deftly handled all the leftist talking points and strongly defined the goals justification of Israel’s stellar handling of the war. He pointed out that Hamas has tried to use the Gaza civilians to obtain immunity for their atrocities. committed on Oct. 7 and since.
My favorite part was when Margeret tried to make several accusations and move on without allowing a response. Netanyahu stopped her saying you keep lobbing these grenades and try to avoid any counter. It basically left her speechless. Much more articulate than my response which would have been, shut up you stupid mouthpiece for the Biden/Obama administration and their absurd agenda.
“watched the whole interview”
The hostility and venom expressed by these worthless, Dhimmi-crat media lapdogs/trained seals/shills/propgagandists, is contemptible. Amazing how they all march in total lockstep, lazily and stupidly parroting and hewing to the pro-Muslim supremacist/terrorist, anti-Israel Dhimmi-crat Party line.
Why do you think they do that?
Pure Jew-hate, moral bankruptcy and fecklessness, and, slavish devotion to the Dhimmi-crat Party Narrative(TM) and talking points.
If any “deal” should occur, be ready for HAMAS to renege on their obligations under the deal and insist [with the help of the US and the rest of the world] that Israel fulfill all theirs and more.
Subotai Bahadur
Wow. I didn’t see that response coming. Someone’s realized that PR is a theater in this war, and is working to win, even using security necessities to provision the messaging.
“…military and humanitarian plan for capturing Rafah aimed at eliminating Hamas’s Gaza-based terrorist leadership, freeing the remaining hostages and minimizing civilian casualties.”
And the rest.
My favorite part is where “Senior Hamas Official” Mousa Abu Marzouk says: “Nobody Could Have Anticipated the Consequences of October 7; We Did Not Expect a Barbaric World War against Us, in Violation of International Law.” Who thinks that Mousa Abu Marzouk will be among the living by the end of the year? The US could learn a lot about waging war from the Israelis. When people tell you they hate you and want you dead, you should believe them–Israel sure does. Perhaps ole Mousa is rethinking Hamas’ strategy about now–but he better hurry! Tick toc.
That war is legit and not a violation of international law. It is Hamas and those who support them who have violated international law. Hen Mousa Abu Marzouk is dying, he can think about they being no virgins and an eternity of burning in Christian Hell.
This is an instructive example of the Muslim supremacist/terrorist/Islamofascist mindset. Even after they’ve committed utterly evil, indefensible and barbaric genocidal murders, rapes and atrocities, they still possess the brazen and dishonest gall to play the fallacious, alleged and self-styled “victim.”
And, sadly an utterly stupid, gullible, meek, emasculated and cowed western European dhimmi and American Dhimmi-crat leadership has paid obscene and indefensible deference and obsequiousness to this ridiculous propaganda narrative of Muslims as alleged and perennial “victims.”
It’s weird watching how long and how many allegedly smart and sophisticated people aren’t getting the game they are playing. This is not a pre-Oct 7 negotiation.
It sure looks like Israel’s decided on their BATNA — Best Alternative to Negotiated Agreement for folks who were spared corporate-speak — as something like “We wipe out their ability to do anything like that again, whatever it takes.” Meanwhile, their negotiating partners (?really? ?negotiating? ?partners?) and dishonest brokers haven’t yet figured out they have to offer something better or no deal.
I keep not hearing “no more bombs, rockets or raids”, and why anybody should believe that.
RIP Sargent Oz
A handsome, courageous young man
His family must be devastated
if the gop had this guys backbone lefty would still the second rate nazicommie party in the usa instead of what they have wrought onto america
Good, good. Common sense prevails. Hamas must be destroyed, no matter what political machinations are playing out within Israel, and, without.
The world will be a better place without Hamas.
The “world war” propaganda rhetoric is so typical of Muslim supremacists’ and Islamofascists’ dishonest, duplicitous and self-serving attitudes — always attempting to rationalize and justify Muslim barbarism, genocidal murders and atrocities, as an allegedly legitimate response to grievance, and/or, a defense of Muslims and their ideology.
Even as they wage Islamic “holy war” terrorism upon Jews, Christians, Hindus and other non-Muslims, they are perennially attempting to fallaciously play the alleged, self-styled “victim” of alleged transgressions committed against them, by their true victims.
These evil pukes can’t even admit that they’re waging religious war as commanded by the tenets of their wretched, supremacist, totalitarian, belligerent, hate-filled and pathology-laden ideology of “Submission.”
Evil never dies, it just sleeps.
Make sure this time it sleeps till the end of time.
Unfortunately, I am afraid that Israel is not going to cull all of Hamas.
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2024/02/a_poll_out_of_new_york_indicates_a_seismic_shift_in_the_jewish_vote.html
For almost a century, there has been one constant in American politics: Jews vote for Democrats. There are multiple reasons for this fact but, regardless of the reason, the one thing Democrats could rely on was the Jewish vote. However, the Biden administration’s increasingly open hostility to Israel may be changing that pattern. One poll out of New York shows something remarkable: More than 50% of New York’s Jews plan to vote for Donald Trump!
The same article points out that this swing isn’t going to put Trump in the White House, but I still think it’s noteworthy.
———————————
Netanel Worthy – נתנאל וורתי
@NetanelWorthy
“Don’t threaten us with cutting off aid to give up our principles. I’m not a Jew with trembling knees. I am a proud Jew with 3,700 years of civilized history. Nobody came to our aid when we were dying in the gas chambers and ovens. Nobody came to our aid when we were striving to create our country. We paid for it. We fought for it. We died for it. We will stand by our principles. We will defend them. And, when necessary, we will die for them again, with or without your aid.”
-Prime Minister Menachem Begin to Senator Joe Biden, 1982
It won’t change anything, like Blacks the Jews can’t ween themselves off the Democrat plantation.
4fun: More than 50% of New York’s Jews plan to vote for Donald Trump!
The sample size (65) is far too small to reach any strong conclusion. The margin of error for the sub-sample is about ± 13%.
4fun: the Biden administration’s increasingly open hostility to Israel may be changing that pattern.
The Biden administration is about the only government in the world that has supported Israel. They have called for Israeli military funding and cast the sole veto of U.N. resolutions. They have maintained their support of Israel in the face of strong domestic political opposition including from within their own party, possibly endangering Biden’s reelection.
Did he not notice what happened 22 years ago, when someone launched a similar attack on the USA? Why would he think Israel would react differently?