Global | 2024.05.08 03:32
[뉴욕=뉴스핌] Correspondent Kim Min-jeong = A high-ranking official from the armed Palestinian political faction Hamas warned that there will be no ceasefire agreement if the Israeli army continues its offensive in Rafah, Gaza Strip.
Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan announced this at a press conference held in Beirut, Lebanon on the 7th (local time). “We confirm that Israel’s ongoing military operation in Rafah will not be a picnic for the Israeli army,” Hamdan said, adding, “The ball is now in Netanyahu’s court.”
The day before, Hamas decided to accept the ceasefire offered by Egypt and Cairo. In response, Speaker Hamdan explained that the ceasefire was a very small response to the demands of the Palestinians and their opposition.
On the other hand, Israel sees Hamas’s acceptance of the ceasefire plan as a “ruse” and says it cannot accept it. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that the ceasefire plan does not meet Israel’s essential requirements and argued that military pressure is necessary for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army is conducting ground and air operations in eastern Rafah, Gaza Strip, on the 7th (local time).[사진=로이터 뉴스핌]2024.05.08 mj72284@newspim.com
Israel took control of the southern border checkpoint between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, weighing the possibility of a full-scale ground battle in Rafah. As Israel took control of the area, relief supplies to the Gaza Strip were also halted. Spokesman Hamdan stressed that “the Rafah checkpoint should be a border between Egypt and Palestine only.”
In response, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “This is a very important process to destroy the remaining military capabilities of Hamas.”
The Israeli side plans to continue military operations in Rafah while sending working-level personnel to continue ceasefire negotiations. Earlier, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement: “Although Hamas’ offer is far below Israel’s essential demands, Israel will send an active negotiating team to the mediating party to ensure the possibility of reaching an agreement on acceptable terms to Israel. “.
In the United States, it is hoped that the differences between the two sides will be narrowed. “We believe that these differences can be narrowed,” said John Kirby, the White House’s national security communications adviser, adding that Israel has confirmed that the military operation will be limited in scope and duration and will not be a large-scale attack.
mj72284@newspim.com
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