The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo) stated on Saturday the 17th that it had failed to enter the city of Rafah, in the far south of Gaza. would mean “losing the war” for Hamas..
Netanyahu also said the terror group's demands for the hostages' release were “staggering.”
“For the Hamas' demands are overwhelming (…). We cannot accept that. But if Hamas abandons these overwhelming demands, we will be able to move forward in negotiations,” the prime minister said in a televised address.
Earlier, Ismael HaniyehHamas political leader, declared that he would not accept an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners if the Israeli army did not withdraw from Gaza.
The Israeli prime minister insisted Full pressure on Hamas until all hostages are released and the terrorist group is destroyed.
In the face of growing international pressure on the Israeli armed forces not to launch an attack Ground operation in RafahNetanyahu said that withdrawing from the measure would mean losing the war.
Rafah is the only city in Gaza that Israeli forces have not entered since the start of the war. It is considered Hamas' last refuge.
The International Court of Justice rejects South Africa's request
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the main legal arm of the United Nations, rejected a request by South Africa for urgent action against Israeli military operations in Rafah in the Gaza Strip.
The “dangerous situation” in Rafah “does not require reference to additional interim measures,” said the court in a statement published on Friday (16).
The ICJ justified the decision by saying that the scenario “requires the immediate and effective implementation of the interim measures indicated by the Court in its order of January 26, 2024,” referring to the court's decision for a ceasefire throughout the Gaza Strip.
In theory, decisions of the International Court of Justice are binding on all member states of the United Nations.
But unlike the United Nations Security Council, the ICJ does not have the ability to put its decisions into practice.