Netanyahu insists on Israeli military offensive in Rafah
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Despite international warnings, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Saturday that an Israeli military offensive would be launched in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
"Of course, only after we make it possible for civilians in the combat zones to move to safe areas," Netanyahu told journalists in Jerusalem.
He emphasized that they would not bow to international pressure on this issue. "Anyone who wants to prevent us from operating in Rafah is ultimately telling us 'lose the war'." He would not allow this to happen.
Netanyahu said that "the score will be settled" with the Hamas leadership. This was only a matter of time.
A future peace settlement with the Palestinians would not be dictated to by international parties, he said.
"A settlement can only be reached through direct negotiations between the two sides without preconditions," he said.
Netanyahu, reacting to media reports that the United States and other allies could recognize a Palestinian state without Israel's consent, said Israel under his leadership would vehemently oppose such "unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state."
He warned against awarding the Palestinians with a state after "this unprecedented terror."
