Ahead of Rafah offensive, Israel is wary of global legal backlash

The Israeli official was also quoted as saying that Israel would not allow Hamas, especially its leader in the Gaza Strip, Yahya al-Sinwar, to delay a hostage deal to prevent a planned military offensive in Rafah. The army had mobilized two more reserve brigades a few days ago.

Al-Sinwar is believed to be the mastermind of the attack on Israel on October 7 last year, which killed about 1,200 Israeli soldiers and civilians and kidnapped more than 200 people to Gaza. The Israeli military believes al-Sinwar is hiding in tunnels beneath Rafah.

“This is the last chance before Rafa goes,” he said israel time An unnamed Israeli government official was quoted as saying. “It’s either an agreement or the future or Rafa.”

Israel also wants to destroy the remaining Hamas battalions in the southern Gaza city bordering Egypt. According to Israeli media, Egypt wants to reach an agreement to stop the attack on Rafah. Egypt is concerned that large numbers of Palestinians could cross the border.

Rafah has become the last refuge for more than 1.4 million Palestinians after being displaced from northern and central parts of the Strip amid more than six months of war between Hamas and Israel.

According to Israeli media, the latest talks between Egyptian and Israeli representatives were initially aimed at focusing on a limited agreement with Hamas, under which only some female, elderly and sick hostages would be released.