Israel has been advancing on Rafah since the night – the army now apparently controls parts of the city. One observer speaks of a strategic success. Hamas remains vague about the important hostage deal.
Footage from the Israeli military shows tanks taking up positions at the Rafah border crossing. They take control of the Palestinian side of the important border facility with Egypt. Drone footage shows the Israeli flag blowing in the wind.
The ground offensive in Rafah is underway; Israel has driven out Hamas in parts of Rafah. An important strategic success, says former general and current military expert Amos Gilad on Israeli broadcaster Channel 12. “Even though we have gained control of the border crossing, one thing is important now: we have to fight arms smuggling at this point.”
To achieve this, Israel must coordinate well with the Egyptians and coordinate strategically. “We have the opportunity to develop a strategic route against Iran. If we succeed, it would be a success that we can claim.”
Hamas remains vague on hostage deal
The Israeli military’s offensive in Rafah came almost simultaneously with Hamas’s announcement that it would accept a new ceasefire offer.
Khalil Al-Hayya, a spokesman for the terrorist organization and a close confidant of Hamas chief in Gaza, Jahia Sinwar, made only vague comments on the Arabic broadcaster Al Jazeera: “What the agreement wants to express is the return to a permanent ceasefire and a “The complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip. The displaced people should be able to return to their homes and we must achieve a serious exchange of prisoners.”
Freed hostages – corpses should also count
According to media reports, 33 hostages will be handed over in a first stage. It is no longer expressly stated that the hostages have to be living. Corpses should also be counted here. And: According to the new agreement, more Palestinian prisoners will be released in Israel per hostage released than previously agreed.
The Israeli side has already said that the content of this new agreement is unacceptable. Nevertheless, negotiators will be sent to Cairo.
Criticism comes from the ex-prime minister
Former Prime Minister Jair Lapid criticized the War Cabinet’s decision to launch the offensive in Rafah now. Lapid explained on army radio that he would have waited.
Israel should be careful not to alienate the USA and other states. “In these times when we are waging a justified war, we should try to get everyone on our side,” Lapid said. “I would have waited another 48 hours before launching the offensive. We have already postponed the offensive in Rafah for two months, so there should be no risk of a bomb hitting the wrong house and thus torpedoing the possibility of freeing the hostages becomes.”
This is also the fear of the relatives of the hostages. In Tel Aviv they demonstrated in front of the US embassy and declared: The offensive in Rafah was a death sentence for the hostages. The government sacrifices the hostages. They will not allow this deal to be destroyed.