Netanyahu: Israel will enter Rafah 'with or without' truce deal with Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged on Tuesday to launch a ground attack on Rafah "with or without" a truce deal being negotiated with Hamas.

Speaking in a meeting with families of hostages, Netanyahu said that Israel has begun the evacuation of Palestinian civilians from Rafah, according to his office.

"The idea that we will halt the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question," said Netanyahu. "We will enter Rafah and eliminate Hamas battalions there, with or without a deal, to achieve the total victory," he added.

The remarks were made as Israeli and Hamas negotiators were in Egyptian-brokered talks on a deal for a ceasefire for the nearly seven-month-long Gaza conflict that will secure the release of hostages.

Israel considers Rafah to be Hamas's last major stronghold in the Palestinian enclave. Rafah is Gaza's southernmost city, where about 1.2 million Palestinians have been seeking shelter. The international community has warned Israel against any offensive that puts civilians at risk.

Unlike the group Netanyahu met with on Tuesday, which has advocated military action, many families of hostages have called on the government to secure their loved ones' freedom in a truce deal.

At the invitation of China, representatives of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) and Hamas recently visited Beijing for in-depth and candid talks on promoting intra-Palestinian reconciliation, and the talks progressed to discussing next steps, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a regular press briefing, noting, "They agreed to continue this dialogue process and strive for the early realization of Palestinian unity." 

U.S. President Joe Biden, facing rising fury on U.S. university campuses, urged the Egyptian and Qatari leaders on Monday "to exert all efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas."

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against Hamas attacks through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. 

(With input from agencies)