MOUNTING CRITICISM
Following talks with Blinken, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said the prime minister “doesn’t have any political excuse not to move to a deal for the release of the hostages”.
Regardless of whether a truce is reached, Netanyahu has vowed to send Israeli ground troops into Rafah, despite US opposition to any operation that fails to provide protection for the 1.5 million civilians sheltering in Gaza’s southernmost city.
“We will do what is necessary to win and overcome our enemy, including in Rafah,” he pledged at the start of a cabinet meeting Thursday.
Separately, Netanyahu told a delegation of Holocaust survivors that Jews should welcome but not expect non-Jewish support and should be ready to “stand alone” if necessary.
“If it is possible to recruit Gentiles, that’s good. But if we don’t protect ourselves, no one will protect us,” he told the group at his office.
The prime minister faces regular protests calling on him to make a deal that would bring home the remaining captives.
