Israel-Hamas war: Rafah invasion update amid ceasefire negotiations | LiveNOW from FOX

Summary

The ongoing conflict in Gaza remains a focal point of international concern, with a Hamas delegation in Cairo reporting progress in ceasefire talks. However, Israel has not sent a delegation and continues to emphasize its commitment to eliminating Hamas, which is a significant obstacle to a peaceful resolution. The situation is further complicated by the presence of hostages used as leverage by Hamas and the mounting pressure for a resolution to the nearly seven-month-long war. The humanitarian crisis in Northern Gaza is severe, with a top UN official declaring a full-blown famine. The US has warned Israel about its planned offensive into Rafah, where over a million Palestinians are sheltering. The Israeli government faces internal divisions on prioritizing the return of hostages or the complete eradication of Hamas. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis escalates, with the International Red Cross highlighting the dire need for aid due to lack of food, water, and medicine. The situation is further complicated by the potential for Israel to open another front against Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon, adding to the complexity of the Middle East conflicts.

Takeaways

• 📰 **Ceasefire Talks**: Egyptian State media reported progress in ceasefire talks for Gaza, although Israel has not sent a delegation.
• 🏛️ **Israeli Stance**: A senior Israeli official downplayed the prospects for a ceasefire, emphasizing Israel's commitment to invading Rafah.
• ⏳ **Urgent Situation**: Pressure is mounting to reach a deal to halt the nearly 7-month long war in Gaza.
• 🌍 **International Concern**: A top UN official has stated there's a full-blown famine in Northern Gaza, highlighting the severity of the humanitarian crisis.
• 🇺🇸 **US Warnings**: The US has repeatedly warned Israel, its close ally, about its planned offensive into Rafah.
• 🤔 **Differing Priorities**: There is a division among Israelis regarding the number one priority, whether it is to return hostages or to defeat Hamas.
• 🛡️ **Military Strategy**: Israel is planning its final stages of entering Rafah, with Prime Minister Netanyahu ordering the IDF to plan for the evacuation of Palestinians from the area.
• 👥 **Hostage Situation**: Hamas is holding hostages and using them as a human shield in negotiations.
• 📉 **Public Dissent**: Protests in Tel Aviv show that many Israelis are unhappy with their government's handling of the hostage situation.
• 🏥 **Humanitarian Crisis**: The crisis in the Rafah area is severe, with a lack of food, water, and medicine leading to a starvation phase for many Palestinians.
• 🚢 **Aid Obstacles**: Humanitarian aid is being obstructed by security concerns and the fear that supplies may be diverted to Hamas.

Q & A

What was the reported progress in ceasefire talks in Cairo?

Egyptian State media reported noticeable progress in ceasefire talks for Gaza, with a Hamas delegation present in Cairo.

Why hasn't Israel sent a delegation to the ceasefire talks?

The script does not provide a specific reason why Israel has not sent a delegation, but it suggests that there is a difference in the parties' positions and objectives in the conflict.

What is the difference in the ceasefire demands between Hamas and Israel?

Hamas is calling for a permanent ceasefire and the removal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip, while Israel is only offering a temporary 40-day ceasefire and is still committed to wiping out Hamas.

What is the significance of hostages in the negotiation process?

Hamas is holding hostages, which gives them leverage in the negotiations. The hostages are also used as a human shield and are a key point of contention in the discussions.

What is the current state of the humanitarian crisis in Northern Gaza?

A top UN official has stated that there is now a full-blown famine in Northern Gaza, highlighting the severity of the humanitarian crisis.

What is the US's stance on Israel's planned offensive into Rafah?

The US has repeatedly warned its close ally Israel about its planned offensive into Rafah, which is the southernmost city on the border with Egypt.

What is the internal conflict within the Israeli government regarding the war?

Prime Minister Netanyahu is facing pressure from different factions within his cabinet. Some members are ultra-nationalists pushing for the complete removal of Hamas, while more moderate members want to prioritize the return of hostages.

How does the Israeli public feel about the government's handling of the hostages?

There have been protests in Tel Aviv, indicating that many Israelis are not pleased with the government's handling of the situation and they want the hostages returned home safely.

What are the challenges faced in delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip?

Challenges include the lack of a security force to escort aid, the risk of supplies being intercepted by Hamas, and the Israeli fear that aid packages may contain supplies for Hamas. Additionally, the pier for waterborne aid is still under construction.

What is the current situation regarding the planned invasion of Rafah by the Israeli military?

Israel is planning the final stages of entering Rafah, with Prime Minister Netanyahu ordering the IDF to plan for the evacuation of Palestinians from the area to confront Hamas.

How does the conflict with Hezbollah affect Israel's strategic decisions?

Hezbollah poses an existential threat to Israel similar to Hamas. Israel is considering whether to open another active front in Southern Lebanon to rid the area of Hezbollah, in addition to their operations in the Gaza Strip.

Outlines

00:00

🕊️ Ceasefire Negotiations and the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

This paragraph discusses the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. A Hamas delegation was in Cairo for ceasefire talks, with Egyptian media reporting progress, but Israel has not sent a delegation. There is a significant humanitarian crisis in Northern Gaza, with reports of famine and a need for a ceasefire to allow aid to reach the area. The Israeli government is under pressure to rescue hostages held by Hamas, who are using them as human shields. The situation is further complicated by internal disagreements within the Israeli cabinet regarding priorities, with some members pushing for the complete eradication of Hamas, while others advocate for the safe return of hostages. The speaker, Mr. Ken Gray, emphasizes the complexity of the negotiations and the challenges faced by Prime Minister Netanyahu in balancing these competing interests.

05:02

🏥 Addressing the Humanitarian Crisis Amidst the Conflict

The second paragraph focuses on the humanitarian crisis in the Rafah area of Gaza, with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent reporting that a quarter of Palestinians are in a starvation phase due to a lack of food, water, and medicine. The crisis is exacerbated by security concerns and the diversion of aid supplies by Hamas. The Israelis are also concerned that aid could be used to support Hamas, leading to thorough searches of incoming aid packages. The construction of a pier to facilitate the delivery of supplies via water is mentioned, but it is not yet complete. The speaker discusses the potential for a temporary ceasefire to allow for the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, but also notes the challenges of reaching a long-term agreement given the differing goals of the sides. The paragraph concludes with a mention of the broader conflicts in the Middle East, including the ongoing threat posed by Hezbollah to Israel.

Keywords

💡Gaza

Gaza is a self-governing Palestinian territory located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. In the context of the video, it is the focal point of an ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with discussions of a potential ceasefire and humanitarian crisis.

💡Hamas

Hamas is a Palestinian Islamic political organization and militant group that controls the Gaza Strip. The video discusses their role in ceasefire negotiations and their stance on the conflict with Israel.

💡Ceasefire

A ceasefire is an agreement to stop fighting temporarily. It is a key concept in the video as it relates to the negotiations between Hamas and Israel, with differing demands for its terms and duration.

💡Egyptian State Media

Egyptian State Media refers to the news outlets controlled by the Egyptian government. In the script, they are mentioned as reporting progress in ceasefire talks, highlighting Egypt's role as a mediator in the conflict.

💡Humanitarian Crisis

A humanitarian crisis is a situation where basic human needs, such as food, water, and healthcare, are not being met on a large scale. The video discusses the severity of the crisis in Gaza, with references to famine and the challenges of delivering aid.

💡International Red Cross

The International Red Cross is an independent, neutral organization that provides humanitarian aid during conflicts. They are mentioned in the context of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

💡Hostages

Hostages are individuals who are held captive by another party, usually in a conflict situation. In the video, hostages are discussed as a significant point of negotiation between Israel and Hamas, with their release being a key demand.

💡IDF (Israel Defense Forces)

The IDF is the military force of Israel. The video mentions the IDF's commitment to eliminating Hamas and its role in planning operations within the Gaza Strip, including the potential invasion of Rafah.

💡Rafah

Rafah is a city located in the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip and is mentioned as a strategic location in the conflict. The video discusses potential military operations by the IDF in Rafah and its significance to the conflict.

💡Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu is the Prime Minister of Israel. He is mentioned in the video as being in a difficult position, having to balance the demands of different factions within his government regarding the conflict with Hamas.

💡Hezbollah

Hezbollah is a Lebanese political and militant group that is also a significant player in the broader Middle East conflicts. The video briefly touches on the potential for Israel to engage with Hezbollah in addition to its conflict with Hamas.

Highlights

Hamas delegation was in Cairo for ceasefire talks, but Israel hasn't sent a delegation yet

Egyptian state media reports noticeable progress in ceasefire talks for Gaza

Senior Israeli official downplays prospects for a full ceasefire while emphasizing commitment to invading Rafah

Pressure has mounted to reach a deal to halt the nearly 7-month long war

Top UN official says there is now a full-blown famine in Northern Gaza

US has repeatedly warned close ally Israel about its planned offensive into Rafah

Hamas is calling for a permanent ceasefire and wants IDF out of Gaza Strip

Israel is only offering a temporary 40-day ceasefire and not giving up presence in Gaza Strip

Israel still committed to idea of wiping out Hamas, the side negotiating with them

Hamas holding hostages and using them as human shields in negotiations

Outside pressure on both sides to come to some type of agreement for a temporary ceasefire

Protests in Tel Aviv against Israeli government's handling of getting hostages home

Israeli military stating they will not stop until Hamas is defeated

Prime Minister Netanyahu caught between ultra-nationalists wanting to rid Gaza Strip of Hamas and moderates wanting hostages home

Humanitarian crisis in Rafah area with quarter of Palestinians in starvation phase

Challenges in getting humanitarian aid into Gaza Strip due to security concerns and Hamas seizing supplies

Israeli military planning final stages of entering Rafah and confronting Hamas

1.2 million Palestinians huddled in southern Gaza Strip where Hamas is located

Palestinians being used as shield by Hamas, similar to hostages

Hezbollah still a problem and Israel considering whether to pursue them in Southern Lebanon

Transcripts

Gaza as we continue to

follow the very latest

of the Israel commas

wore this morning. a Hamas

delegation. was in Cairo

Saturday. as Egyptian State

media reported noticeable

progress. in ceasefire talks

for Gaza, but Israel hasn't

sent a delegation. and a

senior Israeli official.

downplaying prospects for a

full into the war while

emphasizing the commitment

to invading Rafa. pressure

has mounted to reach a deal

halting the nearly 7-month

long War. a top un

official saying there's now

a full-blown famine in

Northern Gaza while the US

has repeatedly warned close

Ally Israel about its

planned offensive into Rafa.

That's the Southernmost

city on the border with

Egypt. Where more than

1 million Palestinians are

currently Sheltering joining

us aside this morning. to

share the latest on this

ongoing conflict is senior

lecturer and Homeland

Security and criminal

justice. at the University

of New Haven, Mr. Ken Gray

Mr. Kim. Good morning,

Always a pleasure speaking

with you. Good morning.

Janet glad to be with you

again. so it seems that

there have been some

movements when we are

discussing. ceasefire talks.

We're hearing from that. um

those in Cairo eia that the

talks are coming from the

Hamas side, but not hearing

much from the Israelite if

you could catch us up this

morning. so the the 2 uh

sides are still pretty far

apart. Hamas, uh is

calling for a permanent.

ceasefire. and they want

the IDF out of Gaza Strip.

Israel on the other hand

is only offering a

temporary season for a

40-day long. ceasefire and

they are also uh, not uh,

uh, uh allowing themselves

to be uh to give up the

presence. in Gaza Strip.

Israel. is still committed

to the idea of wiping out

the S the Hamas which is the

side negotiating with them.

So this is this is going

to be a difficult. Uh,

negotiation. uh, the uh

Hamas is holding all the

chips in that they are the

ones that are holding the

hostages and so that's

ultimately why they put

brought hostages back into

the Gaza Strip. was to use

them for uh as a human

shield. and to negotiate

with them. but uh, there

is a lot of outside

pressure being brought to

bear on both sides to

come to some type of

agreement. So we may see

some type of of uh

temporary ceasefire come out

of this. with the exchange

of hostages for some of

the hostages for some

Palestinian prisoners, But

uh, it's not clear yet

whether or not these 2 will

be able to find Common

Grounds to come to an

agreement because 1 side

plans to wipe out the other

side entirely. uh, and

totally remove it as a

force within Gaza Strip.

great points You're making

Mr. Cannon 1 of them you

pointed out is about the

hostages and as we've seen

over the weekends, you know.

uh protests out in um

hostage Square out in

Tel Aviv many not

pleased with the Israeli

government and they feel

they've been for lack of

better words lacks when it

comes to when those

hostages home, but as you

mentioned we can't forget

the Israeli military from

the very beginning saying

they will not stop until

Hamas is defeated kind of

a double-edged sword if you

think about it, you know

people want the war to end

but also they want the

hostages returned home

safely. Yeah, there is a

difference in what is the

number 1 priority? uh among

the Israelis. uh, some see

the hostages as the number

1 priority getting the

hostages. the the uh

remaining hostages back to

Israel. Uh, then there's the

other side. that uh

once totally removed Hamas

as a future threat and so

that they want to uh,

push the war. until they

have neutralized Hamas

totally. Um, prime minister

Netanyahu is between

a rock and a hard place and

that he has members within

his cabinet on both sides.

been gravar and others are

are with the ultra

nationalists with the uh

far right? Who are pushing

to to totally push on

through Rafa and rid the

Gaza Strip of Hamas. while

the more moderates like

many gats. uh, uh want to

get the hostages home. and

both sides are talking about

leaving the cabinet and

calling causing the

government. to fall if uh,

if they don't get their

way, so, again Netanyahu not

only has voices own opinion

that he wants to go into

Rafa, but he is also

battling 2 different forces

within his own cabinet. It

and the protests. continued

their and uh Israel. against

uh, the the war efforts

trying to get the hostages

home. They want the

hostages to be the number

1 priority. Absolutely. and

as all of this is

happening we can't forget

about the humanitarian

crisis. out in the

rafah area 1 that is about

to be invaded yet again.

um by the Israeli military

and would the ceasefire Mr.

Kent help this

humanitarian crisis to

allow more people to come

in and possibly help

without fear of being

attacked themselves, or

do you think that it might

draw attention away from

the humanitarian crisis

since people might not be

talking about the war? so

the head of the International

Red Cross and the red

crescent said that um

that a quarter of the

Palestinians are now in a

starvation phase. and so

this humanitarian crisis.

is at a point where people

are dying from uh, the the

lack of food. lack of

water lack of uh, uh

medicine This is really a

a crisis point. and so

they need to have the

ability to be able to

bring humanitarian Aid into

their the reason they're not

able to do so at this

point is multi-fold 1 is

the fact that uh, there is

no security Force to

address uh to um to

travel with the food as

it moves in so Hamas has

been grabbing some of

those supplies themselves. 2

is that there's a fear by

the Israelis that supplies

for Hamas or being passed

into uh the Gaza Strip in

those humanitarian. Aid

packages, so they are

searching through all the

packages. They're searching

through the the the the

trucks coming into the

area. the the pier is still

under construction with the

idea of trying to get

more supplies in through

the water that way however,

that's going to still take

another month to be

completed. And so uh,

this humanitarian crisis

which we've seen to have

forgotten about over the

last 3 weeks. uh, continues

to mount. right now Israel.

uh is planning their final

stages of entering into

Rafa. prime minister

Netanyahu as uh ordered the

IDF to to come up with

the plan to evacuate. the

Palestinians from the Raa

area. and so that they can

enter Rafa and and attack

Hamas. Um, we will see

whether or not that is

even feasible. But uh,

there's 1.2. million

Palestinians, huddled down

at the southern end of the

Gaza Strip and uh, that is

also where the Hamas

battalions are. or

Battalion is and that um,

IDF has got to go into Rafa

if they are going to

confront. Hamas, but to do

so the Palestinians are

being used as a shield

just like the hostages

were being used as a

shield. Mr. Ken always a

pleasure speaking with you

here on live now from Fox

to get the most up-to-date

and accurate information.

Thank you so much for joining

us this morning Is there

anything else you'd like to

add before we let you go.

so uh, you know the uh,

Hezbollah is still a problem

here. Uh, and uh Israel has

got to decide whether

or not they want to

pursue Hezbollah. on

another active front they

have a another I would refer

to as a warm front going

on. uh in the north there.

Uh, Hezbollah sends missiles

down. uh, Israel responds

with either air strikes or

artillery rounds, but uh

that has been going on

throughout this entire

period with highs and lows

with the number of

missiles being exchanged but

nonetheless Hezbollah poses

the same type of

existential threat to

Israel. that Hamas does and

so as long as Israel has

the IDF all manned up they

are considering whether

or not they should move

into Southern Lebanon. and

rid the area of Hezbollah

just like they moved into

the Gaza Strip to try to

get rid of Hamas. Uh, so I

think that that is yet to

be seen whether or not uh,

Israel opens up another

active front to the north.

absolutely, just further

showing that there are

several conflicts going on

in the Middle East and how

some of them are

connected. and some are

separate Mr. Ken Gray

always a pleasure speaking

with you here on live now

You enjoy the rest of your