Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has stated that the ceasefire proposal agreed on by Hamas “falls far short of Israel’s essential demands.”
Netanyahu said that the capture of the Rafah crossing is an “important step” towards “dismantling Hamas.”
Netanyahu also stressed that military pressure is still needed to return the hostages being held by Hamas.
He noted that a delegation has arrived in Cairo for further talks on the ceasefire proposal.
However, Israel’s Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich said that it was a mistake to have sent a negotiating team to Cairo.
“Sending the delegation to Cairo is a mistake and falls into the manipulative trap set by Hamas together with Qatar and Egypt. This is the time to press more and more on the neck of Yahya Sinwar and Hamas until they are destroyed.
“You must not give in to international pressure and you must not stop until victory and the submission of the enemy. This is our war of independence and we must win it.”
Bezalel Smotrich
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz also asserted that if Hamas was not holding hostages, Israel would have already crushed it.
In a post in Hebrew on social media, Katz described Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar as “sadistic” and said that the hostages are the only weapon that Hamas has.
He wrote, “The entry of the IDF into Rafah promotes the two main goals of the war: the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas.”
“The work of persuasion on the political front is becoming more difficult – but I will do everything to meet the task and allow our heroic soldiers to complete the work.”
Israel Katz
Ceasefire Agreement Essential To Curb Suffering
Also on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres urged that agreement between the government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas is essential to stop the unbearable suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the hostages and their families.
Speaking at a press conference, Guterres appealed for both parties to show “political courage and spare no effort to secure an agreement to stop the bloodshed, to free the hostages, and to help stabilise the region.”
Chastising Israel for closing access to Gaza, he said, “the closure of both Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings is especially damaging to an already dire humanitarian situation.”
He said, “They must be reopened immediately. Just to give you an example, we risk running out of fuel this evening.”
Israel claims that it closed the Kerem Shalom crossing for security reasons after a barrage of rockets claimed by Hamas killed four Israeli soldiers stationed near the crossing on Sunday, May 5, 2024.
Additionally, he urged against an invasion into Rafah, reminding both Hamas and Israel of obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians.
“Even the best friends of Israel are clear an assault on Rafah would be a strategic mistake, a political calamity and a humanitarian nightmare. I appeal to all those with influence over Israel to do everything in their power to help avert even more tragedy.”
Antonio Guterres
He averred that the international community has a shared responsibility to promote a humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and a massive surge in life-saving aid.
Separately, Hamas released a statement condemning Israel for closing the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings into Gaza.
It said that by deciding to close the Rafah and Kerem Shalom border crossings, Israel is “leading the region toward a disaster and continues its policy of starvation and persecution of Palestinians.”
“International intervention is required. The Biden administration and the international community bear full responsibility for the war’s continuation,” the statement added.
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