Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. AFP
In his comments at Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, Netanyahu sounded a tone of triumph in the war on Gaza — and underscored the differences that remain in monthslong attempts to reach a cease-fire.
A U.S.-backed outline for a deal calls for an eventual full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in return for a full release of hostages by Hamas, something a continued Israeli grip on the Rafah border crossing and nearby border strip would appear to contradict.
Netanyahu’s visit to Rafah was announced hours after Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site. Ben Gvir's move also could disrupt the talks over a cease-fire in the 9-month-old Israeli war on Gaza.
Ben-Gvir, an ultranationalist settler leader, said he went up to the flashpoint site to pray for the return of Israeli hostages “but without a reckless deal, without surrendering.” Israeli negotiators landed in Cairo on Wednesday to keep working on the talks.
Netanyahu said his talks with troops and commanders had made him “stronger in the understanding that our control of the Philadelphi corridor and the Rafah crossing is essential going forward," his office said in a statement.
Israeli leaders have signalled that the Rafah operation is close to finished — a step that is expected to lead to a new, lower-intensity phase of the war and could improve conditions for a cease-fire. Israel has previously said Rafah was Hamas’ last major stronghold in Gaza.
But differences remain in the talks over the three-phase deal, which starts with a halt in fighting and a partial hostage release. The outline says the deal is to lead to an end to the war and complete Israeli withdrawal — a top Hamas demand for a full hostage release. But it also says the two sides must negotiate the terms for that during the initial cease-fire phase. Hamas wants stronger guarantees, while Israel has suggested it will demand Hamas be removed from power in those negotiations.
In his comments in Rafah, Netanyahu also said Israel demands “a maximum number of hostages” to be released in the first phase. That's likely to fuel Hamas' suspicions he aims to get out as many hostages as possible and then resume fighting.
Overnight Israeli strikes Thursday in central Gaza killed at least 11 people. At least two children and two women were killed in air strikes on a house and a car.
The Israeli war in Gaza has killed more than 38,600 people, mostly women and children, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. The war has created a humanitarian catastrophe in the coastal Palestinian territory, displaced most of its 2.3 million population and triggered widespread hunger.
In recent weeks, Israel has stepped up strikes in central Gaza, where many Palestinians have fled to escape fighting in other parts of the beleaguered territory.
Ben-Gvir said Thursday while standing in front of the golden dome of Al-Aqsa Mosque that he “is praying and working hard" to ensure that Netanyahu will not give in to international pressure and will continue with the military campaign in Gaza. Ben-Gvir has frequently visited the site during times of conflict, drawing condemnation. He last visited the site in May to protest countries unilaterally recognizing Palestinian statehood.
As security minister, Ben-Gvir oversees the country’s police force. As a key coalition partner, Ben-Gvir also has the power to rob Netanyahu of his parliamentary majority and try to force early elections.
Ben-Gvir has used his influence to push forward pet projects and encourage Netanyahu to press ahead with the war on Gaza in the face of widespread calls to reach a cease-fire deal that would bring home captives.
He has been convicted eight times for offences that include racism and supporting a terrorist organization. As a teen, his views were so extreme that the army banned him from compulsory military service.
On Friday, the U.N.'s International Court of Justice is expected to issue an advisory opinion on the legality of Israel’s 57-year occupation of the Palestinian territories.
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