So far, the Israeli army has only attacked the Hamas stronghold of Rafah from the air. If ground troops also invade the city, this could mean the end of the hostage negotiations, threatened a high-ranking member of the Islamists.
Hamas has threatened Israel with breaking off talks on a hostage agreement in the event of military action in the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip. Any attack could destroy the negotiations, the Palestinian television channel Al-Aqsa, which is considered the mouthpiece of the Islamists, quoted an unnamed high-ranking Hamas member on Sunday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the army on Friday to prepare an offensive on Rafah. The city, near the border with Egypt, is the only place in the coastal area where Hamas still exercises control. However, a military offensive there is considered highly problematic. Before the war, the city had around 300,000 inhabitants, but there are now said to be at least 1.3 million internally displaced people living there in a small area.
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So far no Israeli ground troops in Rafah
The US government and Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, among others, recently spoke out clearly against military action in Rafah. UN Secretary-General António Guterres also warned of a humanitarian catastrophe and consequences for the entire region.
According to eyewitnesses, Israel has already attacked targets in the city from the air on several occasions. Israeli ground troops have not yet been deployed there.
Egypt, Qatar and the USA are currently making renewed efforts to bring about a longer ceasefire in the Gaza war. As part of an agreement, the hostages still held in the Gaza Strip will be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israel in several phases. Negotiations are currently making slow progress.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
