Netanyahu Defies Global Pressure, Vows to Invade Rafah Despite Gaza Ceasefire Talks
Netanyahu vows Rafah invasion despite ceasefire talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dramatically escalated tensions by defiantly rejecting international pleas and vowing to launch a full-scale military invasion of Rafah, Gaza's last major population centre. The announcement comes amid fragile ceasefire negotiations and represents a direct challenge to the United States and other allies.

Mr Netanyahu declared the long-promised operation in the southern city is essential to achieving "total victory" over Hamas, stating the Israeli military is prepared to proceed alone if necessary. This hardline position directly contradicts terms proposed by Hamas, which are reportedly "unacceptable" to the Israeli government.

A Deepening Rift with Washington

The Prime Minister's stance has opened the most significant public rift with the Biden administration to date. US officials have repeatedly warned against an operation in Rafah, where over 1.4 million displaced Palestinians are sheltering in desperate conditions, citing an impending humanitarian catastrophe.

Despite a recent abstention by the US at the UN Security Council, allowing a ceasefire resolution to pass, Mr Netanyahu cancelled a planned delegation to Washington in a move seen as a sharp rebuke to its closest ally.

The Human Cost and Stalled Talks

The war, now in its sixth month, was triggered by Hamas's deadly 7th October attack on southern Israel. The conflict has resulted in immense casualties, with Gaza health officials reporting over 32,000 Palestinian deaths and a dire humanitarian situation characterised by widespread hunger and the near-collapse of the medical system.

Ceasefire talks, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, have repeatedly stalled. Hamas is demanding a permanent end to the fighting and a full Israeli troop withdrawal, terms Israel has consistently rejected. The deadlock leaves the fate of the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza uncertain and the region on the brink of a further escalation.