On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with representatives of the families and bereaved families of Hamas’ hostages at the Prime Minister’s Office Jerusalem.
According to a government briefing by the office, Netanyahu told the families that, “The idea that we will halt the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question.”
He further asserted that, “We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there – with or without a deal, in order to achieve the total victory.”
Netanyahu’s declaration stands in contrast to reports of productive peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas on Monday.
On Monday evening, April 29, Reuters reported that the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry was hopeful about a proposal for a ceasefire and truce which would include the release of hostages.
"We are hopeful the proposal has taken into account the positions of both sides, has tried to extract moderation from both sides, and we are waiting to have a final decision," said Shoukry.
"We are hopeful the proposal has taken into account the positions of both sides, has tried to extract moderation from both sides, and we are waiting to have a final decision," said Shoukry.
In the night between Sunday and Monday, an Israeli airstrike on Rafah killed 22 people, including at least two children.
About half of Gaza’s population is currently residing in Rafah, which is located in the southern part of the country after Israeli attacks on the northern part displaced roughly 2 million Palestinians.
According to Danmarks Radio, it was the Israeli military itself that encouraged civilians fleeing the war to seek refuge in Rafah in October, 2023.