By Israeli PM Netanyahu’s speech at AIPAC conference
“You cannot back Israel’s right to exist while opposing Rafah operation”.
PM Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that the IDF will operate in the Gaza border town of Rafah, and will not be deterred by criticism and warnings from foreign allies. Speaking at the 2024 American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference in Washington D.C. Tuesday, Netanyahu offered veiled criticism of the Biden administration and other Western governments which have pressure Jerusalem not to carry out its much-anticipated ground operation in Rafah. The U.S., France, and Britain have urged Israel not to make any armed incursion into Rafah, with the Biden administration reportedly considering imposing conditions are arms sales to Israel should the IDF enter the border town.
In his address at the AIPAC conference Tuesday, Netanyahu reiterated his government’s determination to clear out Hamas forces in Rafah, warning that failure to destroy the terrorist infrastructure in the city would enable Hamas to eventually retake the Gaza Strip.
“Let me be clear, Israel will win this war no matter what,” Netanyahu said. “To win this war, we must destroy the remaining Hamas battalions in Rafah. If not, Hamas will regroup, rearm and reconquer Gaza and then we’re back to square one. And that’s an intolerable threat that we cannot accept. We will destroy Hamas, free our hostages and ensure that Gaza doesn’t ever pose a threat to Israel again.”
“We will win this war – no matter what!” Israelis “overwhelmingly” support the government’s policies on the war with Hamas, says PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
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⚡[UPDATE-Day 159-Mar 13-22:30Z] The significance behind the IDF attack in Hezbollah stronghold Baalbek
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