Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israeli troops would pursue a planned ground offensive in southern Gaza’s Rafah that has spurred fears of mass civilian casualties.
“No amount of international pressure will stop us from realising all the goals of the war: eliminating Hamas, releasing all our hostages and ensuring that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel,” Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting in a video released by his office.
“To do this, we will also operate in Rafah.”
His comments came as talks were expected to resume in Doha towards a truce in Gaza, where Israel has pursued a campaign against Hamas militants for more than five months.
Israeli cabinet members were set to discuss the “mandate” of the negotiations team later Sunday, Netanyahu’s office has said.
He was also due to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who was expected to reiterate his warning against a Rafah ground offensive.
Most of Gaza’s 2.4 million people have sought refuge from relentless Israeli bombardment in the southern city.
