Israeli PM brushes aside warnings that assault on Gaza’s southernmost town would be a ‘human catastrophe’
Benjamin Netanyahu appears determined to push ahead with a ground offensive against Gaza’s southernmost town of Rafah but has claimed Israel will provide “safe passage” to the 1.3 million displaced Palestinians sheltering there.
Despite mounting warnings from aid agencies and the international community that an assault on Rafah would be a “catastrophe”, Netanyahu has reiterated his intention to extend Israel’s military operation against Hamas – which stated that a new advance into Rafah would “blow up” ongoing negotiations to return hostages in return for a ceasefire.
“We’re going to do it,” Israel’s prime minister told ABC News in an interview that will air on Sunday. “We’re going to get the remaining Hamas terrorist battalions in Rafah, which is the last bastion, but we’re going to do it.”
“We’re going to do it while providing safe passage for the civilian population so they can leave,” he said.
