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Edited by: Fern Sidman
In a significant escalation of tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday outright rejected a counterproposal from Hamas regarding a hostage deal, setting the stage for a more intensive military engagement in the Gaza Strip. According to a report on Tuesday on the World Israel News web site, the rejected proposal came on the heels of negotiations that saw Israeli and Egyptian negotiators reaching an initial draft agreement, which was subsequently modified by Hamas, eliciting a firm response from the Israeli leadership.
The origins of this confrontation can be traced back to the differing interpretations of the draft agreement by the involved parties. Hamas’ leader-in-exile, Ismail Haniyeh, announced that his organization had accepted what he claimed was an Israeli-Egyptian framework for a deal, as was reported by WIN, However, the reality was that the proposal forwarded by Hamas through Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries contained substantive amendments, deviating significantly from the original terms agreed upon by Israeli and Egyptian negotiators.
These amendments introduced by Hamas included clauses that Netanyahu and his cabinet found unacceptable, with potential implications that could demand an end to ongoing hostilities under terms unfavorable to Israel. Indicated in the WIN report was that such stipulations were seen by Israel as a strategic maneuver by Hamas to forestall Israeli military actions, particularly the planned comprehensive ground operation in Rafah. This operation is aimed at dismantling Hamas’ operational capabilities in what is considered its last significant stronghold in the Gaza Strip.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, there was a disturbing revelation from Hamas indicating that some of the 33 Israeli hostages, expected to be part of the exchange deal, might no longer be alive. This claim has not only inflamed public sentiment in Israel but also hardened the Israeli government’s stance on the necessity of military pressure to secure the return of hostages, according to the information in the WIN report. Netanyahu, emphasizing the unity and resolve of his War Cabinet, described the Hamas counterproposal as a tactical ploy designed to “torpedo” Israel’s military objectives in Rafah.
In his video statement, Netanyahu reiterated the Israeli government’s position that past experiences with hostage negotiations had demonstrated the efficacy of military pressure on Hamas in facilitating the return of captives, the WIN report said. He emphasized that any deviation from Israel’s core demands in the negotiation process was unacceptable and that the military plans for Rafah would proceed as a critical component of Israel’s strategy to counter Hamas.
“As the War Cabinet unanimously determined, the Hamas proposal was very far from Israel’s core demands,” Netanyahu said, according to the WIN report. “We have already proven, in the previous release of hostages, that military pressure on Hamas is an essential condition for the return of our hostages. The Hamas proposal yesterday was designed to torpedo the entry of our forces into Rafah. That did not happen.”
“Israel will not allow Hamas to restore its regime of evil in the Strip. Israel will not allow it to rebuild its military capabilities in order to continue striving for our destruction. Israel cannot accept a proposal that endangers the security of our citizens and the future of our state.”
“The taking of the Rafah Crossing today is a very important step, an important step on the way to destroying Hamas’s remaining military capabilities, including the elimination of the four terrorist battalions in Rafah, and an important step to damaging Hamas’s governing capabilities, because as of this morning, we have denied Hamas the crossing that was vital to establishing its terrorist regime in the Strip.”
Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, formerly the head of the Research and Assessment Division of IDF Military Intelligence and now a senior researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, provided insight into the complexities of gaining international legitimacy for military operations. The Jewish News Syndicate reported that according to Kuperwasser, the decision to commence evacuation from Rafah was not abrupt but followed a comprehensive process aimed at “accumulating legitimacy.” This effort was significantly influenced by the recent actions of Hamas during hostage negotiations and their method of engagement in hostile activities, such as the mortar barrage that tragically killed four IDF soldiers, the JNS report added. This attack, notably launched from a location near civilian populations and close to the Rafah Crossing, called attention to the challenges of engaging militarily in such densely populated areas.
Kuperwasser suggested that the international community’s partial acknowledgment of the legitimacy of the Israeli response is partly due to Hamas’s tactics, which have not only prolonged the conflict but also placed civilians at risk. As per the information in the JNS report, the strategic response by Israel, therefore, involves a phased operation beginning with the evacuation of civilians from eastern Rafah. This initial step is crucial as it aims to mitigate civilian casualties and uphold the moral and ethical standards expected in international combat scenarios.
Describing the operation as a “pilot,” Kuperwasser highlighted the delicate balance Israel must maintain in executing military objectives while minimizing harm to civilians. Success in these early stages could potentially pave the way for a broader operational scope, should conditions on the ground justify an escalation, as was explained in the JNS report. The presence of four Hamas battalions in Rafah represents a direct challenge, similar yet distinct from other terrorist groups Israel has confronted since the commencement of its ground offensive in Gaza on October 27. The proximity of Egypt and numerous civilian aid agencies further complicates the operational environment, necessitating a carefully calibrated approach by the IDF.
Kuperwasser emphasized the anticipated ferocity of the defense Hamas is likely to mount in Rafah. He warned of the presence of more terrorists beyond the originally estimated four battalions, suggesting a significant concentration of Hamas forces, the JNS report noted. This scenario poses considerable challenges similar to those encountered by the IDF in other parts of Gaza, such as Gaza City and Khan Yunis. The JNS report added that these areas were marked by complex engagements with entrenched terrorists amid dense civilian populations and a robust underground infrastructure, including a network of tunnels that have been a hallmark of Hamas’ military strategy.
A unique tactical complication in Rafah is its proximity to Egypt, coupled with existing tunnels that could potentially facilitate the escape of Hamas leadership to Sinai, as was detailed in the JNS report. This geographical and infrastructural dynamic poses a security challenge not only to Israel but also to Egypt, complicating the regional security landscape and potentially undermining efforts to stabilize the area.
As the IDF prepares to intensify its operations in Rafah, Kuperwasser noted the broader implications of the military strategy. If the Israeli forces manage to conduct the operation with minimal civilian casualties and demonstrate effective control over the situation, it could significantly alter the dynamics of the conflict, particularly in the realm of hostage negotiations, according to the information provided in the JNS report. The successful execution of this operation could pressure Hamas by diminishing its control over Gaza and weakening its negotiating position regarding the release of hostages.
IDF Spokesman to the international media, Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, reinforced this perspective, indicating that the latest military maneuvers are part of a carefully considered operational plan approved by the Israeli War Cabinet, the JNS report said. These plans include situational assessments and a phased approach to dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities, particularly those manifesting from Rafah.
As the IDF intensify operations in the Gaza Strip, the Southern Command’s Population Evacuation Unit plays a pivotal role in managing civilian safety amidst escalating military actions. The unit leverages sophisticated technological tools, including an advanced digital mapping system that segments Gaza into over 600 detailed polygons, as was pointed out in the JNS report. This technology enables precise and targeted evacuations, minimizing civilian presence in conflict zones and allowing military operations to proceed with reduced risk to non-combatants.
A significant feature of this system is the color-coded status of each polygon. For instance, a green polygon indicates that over 75% of the population in that area has evacuated, thereby clearing the way for ground forces to engage without the high risk of civilian casualties, the JNS report explained. This methodical approach to civilian evacuation is critical in densely populated areas such as Rafah, where the military operation is expected to intensify.
Rafah, located at the southern edge of the Gaza Strip, has been the focus of considerable military planning due to its strategic importance and proximity to the Egyptian border. The military operations planned for this area involve substantial air and artillery strikes, supplemented by tank movements, making the evacuation of civilians paramount, JNS reported. The IDF has employed a multi-channel communication strategy to urge the residents of Rafah, especially in the eastern parts, to move to designated humanitarian areas. This includes airdropped flyers, text messages, phone calls, and broadcasts in Arabic, all aimed at maximizing outreach and ensuring the safety of civilians.
Moreover, Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani of the IDF has clarified that the evacuation is specifically targeted at the eastern parts of Rafah and is not indicative of a wider city evacuation, the JNS report said.
The operation is expected to involve the 98th Paratroopers Division, which led the four-month operation in Khan Yunis, and the 162nd Armored Division, which spent six months fighting in central Gaza and setting up the Netzarim Corridor separating northern and southern Gaza.
In terms of humanitarian aid, despite the ongoing conflict and specific incidents like the recent deadly mortar attack from Rafah that led to the temporary closure of the Kerem Shalom Crossing, the flow of aid into Gaza remains constant, JNS reported. Route 96, a critical supply line built by Israel in March, facilitates the direct entry of trucks from Israel into northern Gaza. This route, along with airdrops and maritime deliveries from Ashdod Port, ensures a steady supply of essentials to the civilian population amidst the turmoil.
As Israeli tanks patrol the area, the local population harbors mixed feelings and speculations about the future of their city, which has become a focal point of military and humanitarian activities.
Residents of Rafah expressed concerns to The Press of Service of Israel about the prolonged presence of the IDF along the border. They fear this could lead to a long-term blockade aimed at preventing Hamas from smuggling weapons through the network of underground tunnels that connect Gaza to the Sinai Peninsula. This complex tunnel system has been a significant conduit for arms trafficking, which the IDF’s control over the border aims to disrupt.
Amidst these strategic military actions, there are conflicting expectations about the distribution of aid. One resident, seeking refuge in a hospital, shared a poignant reflection with TPS on the situation, suggesting that although the IDF’s oversight might prevent Hamas from commandeering supplies, it could also hinder the flow of much-needed humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
The sentiment among the displaced is turning increasingly bitter towards Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, who they blame for their current plight, the TPS report said. Described as the “greatest nakba in the history of the Palestinian people,” the term ‘nakba’—meaning catastrophe—evokes the profound distress and upheaval experienced by the residents.
(Sources: worldisraelnews.com, JNS.org, TPS)
