Despite growing international criticism, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is vowing to move ahead with plans to attack the city of Rafah, where over 1.4 million Palestinians are seeking refuge. On Sunday, Netanyahu also criticized U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s call for new elections in Israel. Netanyahu spoke on CNN.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “I think what he said is totally inappropriate. It’s inappropriate for a — to go to a sister democracy and try to replace the elected leadership there. That’s something that Israel — the Israeli public does on its own. And we’re not a banana republic.”
Talks are continuing in Qatar over a possible temporary ceasefire in Gaza. Over the weekend, Hamas offered a new three-phrase ceasefire plan that includes the initial release of the remaining five female hostages and 35 men who are old, sick or injured, in exchange for 700 to 1,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails. Hamas said it would only release Israeli soldiers held captive after a permanent ceasefire is reached.