Netanyahu Vows Rafah Invasion as Hamas Considers US-Backed Israeli Ceasefire Proposal
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Hamas is considering an Israeli 40-day truce-and-hostage proposal, described by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken as “extraordinarily generous.”
The Details: While the ceasefire proposal was reportedly seen as a last chance to avoid an Israeli invasion of Rafah — a city packed with over a million refugees — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israeli forces would enter Rafah regardless of whether Hamas agreed to a deal.
For Context: The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has created a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where aid organizations warn civilians are nearing starvation. Continual efforts to negotiate a mutual ceasefire have so far fallen short, despite the efforts of mediators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar. Blinken’s Middle East trip also included a stop in Saudi Arabia, where he hoped to revive a “mega-deal” to normalize Israel-Saudi relations.
How the Media Covered It: Coverage of Blinken’s remarks, Hamas’ consideration of the deal, and Netanyahu’s pledge to attack Rafah generally reflected past divides in coverage of the war in Gaza. On Tuesday, while the pro-Palestinian Al Jazeera (Lean Left bias) highlighted “anguish in crowded Rafah” as Netanyahu “threatens” an invasion, the pro-Israeli Jerusalem Post (Center bias) highlighted poll data showing that American voters “say Israel should invade Rafah.” This summary was developed with the help of AllSides' AI technology.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Center
Netanyahu vows again to storm Rafah as Israel awaits Hamas reply to truce proposalIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Tuesday to go ahead with a long-promised assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, whatever the response by Hamas to the latest proposals for a halt to the fighting and a return of Israeli hostages.
Expectations that a ceasefire agreement could be in sight have grown in recent days following a renewed push led by Egypt to revive stalled negotiations between Israel and Hamas, Gaza's ruling Palestinian Islamist group....
However Netanyahu said that with or without a deal, Israel intended to pursue the operation...
From the Left
Netanyahu vows to invade Rafah ‘with or without a deal’ as cease-fire talks with Hamas continueIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged Tuesday to launch an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering from the almost 7-month-long war, just as cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas appear to be gaining steam.
Netanyahu’s comments came hours before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was to arrive in Israel to advance the truce talks — which appear to be one of the most serious rounds of negotiations between Israel and Hamas since the war began. The deal is meant to free hostages,...
From the Right
Israel at Crossroads Between Rafah Incursion, Hostage Deal as Blinken VisitsThe next 72 hours will be crucial to see which direction Israel goes in its war with Hamas. Either Hamas will agree to an extended ceasefire and a release of hostages or Israel is poised to begin its invasion of Rafah, the last terrorist stronghold of Gaza.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel Tuesday as part of his latest Middle East trip. During Blinken's time in Israel, Netanyahu announced that the Rafah invasion will occur "with or without a deal," as the ceasefire talks continue.
In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,...
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