Netanyahu pledges Rafah raid 'with or without' deal

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to launch an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering from the war.

His vow came just as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas appear to be gaining steam.

Mr Netanyahu’s comments also came hours before US secretary of state Antony Blinken was due to arrive in Israel to advance the truce talks – which appear to be one of the most serious rounds of negotiations between Israel and Hamas since the war began.

The deal is meant to free hostages, bring some relief to the population and avert an Israeli offensive into Rafah and the potential harm to civilians in the city.

Mr Netanyahu said Israel would enter Rafah, which Israel says is Hamas’s last stronghold, regardless of whether a truce-for hostages deal is struck

His comments appeared to be meant to appease his nationalist governing partners but it was not clear whether they would have any bearing on any emerging deal with Hamas.

“The idea that we will stop the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question,” Mr Netanyahu said, according to a statement from his office. “We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate Hamas’s battalions there – with or without a deal, to achieve the total victory.”

The US has repeatedly said it opposes the Rafah operation until Israel presents a credible plan for evacuating and protecting the estimated 1.5 million people seeking shelter in the city.

Mr Blinken, speaking in Jordan before flying to Israel, said the “focus” right now is on improving the humanitarian situation and reaching a ceasefire deal that brings Israeli hostages home.

He said Israel has offered a “strong proposal” and called on Hamas to respond.