by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed a Knesset committee that the IDF is set to launch a ground operation in Rafah, and he relayed this decision to US President Joe Biden during their phone conversation yesterday.
“We have a disagreement with the Americans about the need to enter Rafah,” Netanyahu told the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. “Not about the need to eliminate Hamas — the need to enter Rafah. We do not see a way to eliminate Hamas militarily without destroying these remaining battalions. We are determined to do it.”
“I made it clear to the president in our conversation, in the clearest way, that we are determined to complete the elimination of these battalions in Rafah,” Netanyahu said. He stated that the only way to eliminate Hamas was by “going in on the ground.”
Netanyahu emphasized the complete eradication of Hamas, stating, “You can’t say ‘we’ll destroy 80% of Hamas, we’ll [leave] 20%,’ because that 20% will reorganize and retake the Strip, and of course, they will pose a renewed threat to Israel, and of course, it will also be a victory for the broader axis that threatens us — the Iranian axis.”
Netanyahu admitted that alongside the military conflict, Israel is engaged in a diplomatic battle, facing escalating pressure internationally.
Last week, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer advocated for Netanyahu’s removal. Subsequently, U.S. President Joe Biden endorsed Schumer’s remarks, amplifying the contention between Washington and Jerusalem.
Over the weekend, Netanyahu responded, stating, “I think (Sen. Chuck) Schumer’s statements are wholly inappropriate,” Netanyahu said. “I think we’re not a banana republic. The people of Israel will choose when they’ll have elections, who they elect, and it’s not something that will be foisted upon us that, you know, it’s wrong to try to replace the elected leaders of a sister democracy and a staunch American ally at any time, but especially during the time of war.”
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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