 "'We will strike with painful blows soon': Israeli PM Netanyahu hints at Rafah invasion, vows to free hostages")
In what appears to be a hint at the invasion of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the country will strike “painful blows” at Hamas to free the hostages.
More than 100 hostages are still in captivity in Gaza. Hamas and its allies had abducted more than 250 people during their terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and taken them to Gaza as hostages. So far, more than 120 hostages have been released through ceasefire-cum-hostage release deals reached between Israel and Hamas through multinational mediation efforts.
In a video message in Hebrew, Netanyahu on Sunday said that Israel will increase military and diplomatic pressure on Hamas as that’s the only way to free the hostages.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 21, 2024
"Why is this night different, citizens of Israel?
On this night, 133 of our dear brothers and sisters are not around the Seder table, and they are still held hostage by Hamas in hellish conditions. pic.twitter.com/CEY5GtlKC4
The Jerusalem Post reported that Netanyahu hinted at the decision to invade Rafah, which the Israeli government says is the last bastion of Hamas in Gaza. The international community, including principal Israeli partner the United States, has urged Israel to not invade as over a million Palestinians displaced from the six-month-long war have taken refuge there and the invasion is expected to create catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
‘Hamas is hardening its heart, we will strike painful blows’
Speaking ahead of the Jewish holiday of Passover, Netanyahu drew a parallel with the festival’s story and said that Hamas has hardened its heart and has rejected all the proposal for the release of hostages in exchange for a ceasefire.
As a result, Israel will strike “additional painful blows” at Hamas, said Netanyahu.
The Passover festival marks the liberation of Jewish people from slavery in ancient Egypt. As per the story, the Pharoh of Egypt hardened its heart and refused to let the enslaved Jewish people go.
Drawing a parallel, Netanyahu said, “It has only hardened its conditions for the release of our hostages. It is hardening its heart and refusing to let our people go. Therefore, we will strike it with additional painful blows – and this will happen soon. In the coming days, we will increase the military and diplomatic pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to free our hostages and achieve our victory.”
Netanyahu further invoked the history of Jews, which has seen cycles of persecution borne out of antisemitism across Europe and Middle East, and said that while there are attempts to destroy them every generation, “the Holy One, blessed be He, saves us from them”.
“On this night, 133 of our dear brothers and sisters are not around the Seder table, and they are still held hostage by Hamas in hellish conditions. We have already freed 124 of our hostages and we are committed to returning them all home – the living and the deceased alike. And why is this night not different? That in every generation they rise up to destroy us, and the Holy One, blessed be He, saves us from them,” said Netanyahu.
In the latest round of talks held at Egyptian capital Cairo, a proposal was floated that called for a six-week ceasefire and release of 40 hostages in lieu of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons. The deal, which also had provisions for phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and phased return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, has reportedly been rejected by Hamas.
Netanyahu vows to stand against sanctions on Israeli soldiers
Following reports that the United States is about impose sanctions on an Israeli military unit accused of human rights violations in the West Bank, Netanyahu said he will “fight this with all my powers”.
Netanyahu said while Israeli soldiers are united on the battlefield, “we are united in defending them in the diplomatic arena”.
“I will strongly defend the IDF, our army and our fighters. If somebody thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit in the IDF – I will fight this with all my powers. As our soldiers are united in defending us on the battlefield, we are united in defending them in the diplomatic arena. Together we will fight and with God’s help, together we will win,” said Netanyahu.
Axios on Saturday reported that the Joe Biden administration may announce sanctions on the ‘Netzah Yehuda’ battalion of the Israeli military. The report said the unit, an all-men unit for ultra-Orthodox Jews, over the years became a destination for many ‘Hilltop Youth’, who are young radical right-wing Israeli settlers who were not accepted into any other combat unit of the military.
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