Finance
Israel has demanded that Hamas free at least 33 captives in order to prevent a planned attack on the Gaza Strip’s southern city of Rafah.
According to sources in the Israeli Defence Ministry, Mossad chief David Barnea presented the proposal to the visiting Egyptian delegation led by intelligence chief Major General Abbas Kamel.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has previously communicated his country’s alarm about the planned Rafah attack to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the latter’s recent visit to Cairo.
Egypt concerns that an attack on the Rafah region will lead to a civilian disaster as well as a massive refugee exodus to Egypt because Rafah borders the Sinai region of the country.
According to Israel’s own report, 33 of the 129 Israeli hostages are elderly, female, or sick. According to Israel, many of the 129 hostages have died.
Israel has also stated that it will not tolerate any time-buying measures by Hamas, commanded by Yahya Sinwar, its military leader and the “mastermind of the October 7, 2023 massacre”.
Israeli intelligence claims Sinwar is in Rafah in one of Hamas’ tunnels, using Israeli hostages as human shields.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has already sent its special Nahal Brigade to Rafah ahead of the expected invasion.
