Netanyahu: If we don't attack Rafah, we will lose the war

Prime Minister Netanyahu, in a press conference he held, made assessments regarding his country's attacks in Gaza and a potential prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

"IF WE DO NOT LAUNCH AN ATTACK, WE WILL LOSE THE WAR"

Rejecting international calls for his country not to launch a ground offensive on Rafah, where civilians are sheltering in the southern Gaza Strip, Netanyahu said:

"I am making it clear that Israel will fight until absolute victory, including in Rafah. Anyone who wants to prevent us from acting in Rafah is essentially telling us to lose the war. If we do not launch a military attack on Rafah, we will lose the war. I will not allow that."

Stating that they would not stop the attacks even if an agreement were reached with Hamas on the release of hostages, Netanyahu said, "Everyone wants an additional deal for a hostage agreement. I want one too. It would be good if we could achieve this, but even if we reach an agreement, we will enter Rafah."

Arguing that they would "not bow to future impositions" regarding the recognition of a Palestinian state, Netanyahu stated, "I have made it clear in the cabinet, and I will state it once again. A solution will only be reached through direct negotiations without preconditions."

WHY DID THE NEGOTIATIONS STOP?

Saying that they are conducting "strong military pressure and very tough negotiations" to ensure the release of the hostages, Netanyahu claimed that the negotiations for a possible deal that would secure the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip have been halted due to Hamas's "delusional" demands.

Netanyahu said, "So far, Hamas's demands only point to Israel's defeat. Frankly, we cannot accept these conditions, but we can make progress when Hamas backs down from these delusional demands."