Regarding negotiations between Israel and the Islamic organization Hamas, including a cessation of fighting, Israeli media reported that a negotiating team is expected to depart for Qatar in the Middle East on the 18th, and negotiations are expected to resume from that day. Masu.
However, Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly emphasized his intention to launch a ground operation toward Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, and it is unclear whether the negotiations will make any progress.
*We will keep you updated on developments regarding Israel and Palestine as of March 18, Japan time.
Negotiations aimed at cessation of fighting to resume on 18th, emphasizing ground operations against Rafah
Regarding the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and negotiations for the release of hostages, leading Israeli media outlets such as Haaretz reported that a negotiating team will depart for Qatar on the 18th after a cabinet meeting on the night of the 17th. It is expected that negotiations will resume from this day.
However, so far the gap between Hamas, which ultimately calls for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and Israel, which does not accept it, has not been bridged.
Under these circumstances, Prime Minister Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting on the 17th, ``It is true that pressure is increasing from the international community.However, we will not bow to pressure.We will begin a ground operation in Rafah to annihilate Hamas.'' He reiterated Japan's determination to proceed with ground operations in the southern region of Rafah, where nearly 1.5 million evacuees live, despite a series of serious concerns from the international community.
In response, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling ``Netanyahu's repeated threats to invade Rafah a provocation against the international community.''
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is worsening day by day, but it is unclear whether negotiations between Israel and Hamas will make any progress.
German Chancellor Scholz meets with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Israel
On the 17th, German Chancellor Scholz met with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Israel, where he was visiting.
At a press conference after the meeting, Prime Minister Scholz said of Prime Minister Netanyahu's intention to launch a ground operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, ``We should consider military logic, but we should also consider humanitarian considerations.'' "How will the more than 1.5 million people in Rafah be protected and where should they be evacuated?" he said, emphasizing the idea that operations should not proceed without the protection of civilians.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, ``Israel will do everything possible to minimize civilian casualties and maximize the necessary humanitarian assistance.'' We have shown an attitude of consideration in order to limit this.