China News Service, February 8 (Xinhua) According to Reuters, on the 7th local time, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected Hamas's request for a ceasefire and said that the Israeli army would defeat Hamas within a few months.
File photo: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Reuters reported on the 7th that Hamas proposed a draft three-phase ceasefire plan. The roughly four-and-a-half-month plan includes efforts to end military operations through continued de-escalation, exchange detainees, end Israel's blockade of Gaza, allow displaced residents to return home and increase aid supplies.
According to reports, Netanyahu called Hamas's position "delusional." He said he had ordered the Israel Defense Forces to prepare for operations in Rafah, adding that the Israeli army would defeat Hamas within a few months and move toward "complete victory."
According to the Times of Israel, Netanyahu said at a press conference that Israel "made no commitments." He said continued military pressure was a "necessary condition" for the release of those detained.
According to Agence France-Presse, senior Hamas official Zuhri responded that Netanyahu's remarks were a "bluff" and called on all resistance forces to continue fighting. Hamdan, the senior representative of Hamas in Lebanon, also called on all resistance forces to continue fighting.
Hamdan revealed on the 7th that Hamas is preparing to send a delegation led by high-level officials to Cairo to negotiate a ceasefire with Egypt and Qatar.
Data map: US Secretary of State Blinken. Photo by China News Service reporter Chen Mengtong
According to Agence France-Presse, US Secretary of State Blinken, who is visiting the Middle East, said that there is still room for negotiation on the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Blinken did not directly ask Israel not to attack Rafah, but said, "Israel has the responsibility and obligation to make every effort to ensure the safety of civilians. Any military operation conducted by Israel must prioritize ensuring the safety of civilians."
Blinken said he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government against actions and comments that would escalate tensions. Expresses deep concern that these actions and statements are exacerbating tensions, undermining support from the international community and creating greater constraints on Israel’s security.”
He also said a United Nations team had begun assessing the situation in northern Saudi Arabia.