The Times of Israel reported that the spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, announced that he had neutralized the deputy commander of the military wing of the Hamas movement, Marwan Issa.
“ Marwan Issa, deputy commander of Hamas’ military wing, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip earlier this month,” the Times of Israel article said. In addition, an IDF spokesman said the movement’s senior commander, Ghazi Abu Tamaa, was also killed in the March 10 attack.
In the latest statement, the press representative of the US State Department, Matthew Miller, declared that Israel would be isolated internationally if it carried out an operation in the city of Rafah, bordering Egypt.
“ The United States believes that military operations in Rafah will lead to Israel’s isolation and alienation from its long-time partners ,” said Matthew Miller.
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| The conflict in the Gaza Strip is isolating Israel. Photo: Reuters |
However, the recently adopted UN Security Council resolution calling on the IDF to halt military operations during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan does not impose obligations on Israel and Hamas.
Washington plans to hold a meeting with Israeli representatives to discuss alternatives to launching a military operation against the city of Rafah. However, a specific date has not been set.
“ As we have said, what Israel is planning to do in Rafah is a mistake. It will cause terrible harm to civilians there and undermine Israel’s security,” said Matthew Miller.
Washington wants to be able to offer a better alternative to the Israelis. The US sees holding this meeting as important to finding a peace solution for the Gaza Strip.
Earlier, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that Israel had to evacuate more than one million civilians to safety before launching a military operation in the city of Rafah.
Lloyd Austin met with his Israeli counterpart in the US on March 26 to discuss the possibility of de-escalating the conflict. At the meeting, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that Israel is under attack from “seven different fronts”.
The IDF will continue to attack Hamas everywhere and will soon launch an attack on the city of Rafah.
Earlier, Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, said that Israel had received full authorization from the United States for military operations in the Gaza Strip, despite the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire in the region.
Meanwhile, Reuters news agency reported that by deciding to cancel a visit to the US at the highest level, Israel is sending a signal to the Palestinian extremist group Hamas that it cannot isolate the country.
After meeting with visiting US Senator Rick Scott in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: “This is Hamas’ first and foremost message: ‘Do not rely on this pressure, it will not work. ’”
According to information from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, Hamas has rejected the US compromise proposal at the talks in Qatar.
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| Israel may soon launch a military operation against the city of Rafah. Photo: AP |
Hamas is said to have rejected all compromise options proposed by the US and welcomed the March 25 UN Security Council resolution. Hamas leaders demanded that Israel immediately withdraw its troops from Gaza.
“ Israel will not bow to Hamas’s illusory demands and will continue to act to achieve all its war objectives ,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said, stressing that Hamas has shown no interest in the negotiations to end the conflict. Israel also called Hamas’ actions proof that the UN Security Council resolution is ineffective.
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