WE'RE GOING INTO RAFAH.. WITH OR WITHOUT A DEAL

Israeli PM defiant on city attack

- CHRIS HUGHES

BENJAMIN Netanyahu has pledged to invade Rafah and hunt down remaining Hamas fighters regardless of any peace deal.

During a meeting with hostage families the Israeli Prime Minister appeared to spike the chance of a complete ceasefire by insisting on the attack.

Although thousands of refugees have evacuated Rafah - once a supposed last refuge for Palestinians fleeing the war between Hamas and Israeli troops more than a million people remain.

Gaza health officials figures of 47 deaths in the last 24 hours, including women and children, take the Gazan death toll to 34,535. Israel and Hamas are negotiating a ceasefire meant to free hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

The latest proposal is thought to involve exchanges for some of the hostages seized on October 7, followed by a "period of sustained calm".