Israeli tanks and artillery surrounded Rafah, Hamas raised the condition of laying down their weapons

Interfax news agency said on April 26 that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently deployed dozens of tanks and armored vehicles to the Kerem Shalom checkpoint, opposite the city of Rafah. A few days ago, the IDF also placed many artillery systems in areas in the southern Gaza Strip, a move believed to be in preparation for the ground military campaign in Rafah.

On April 24, Reuters sources revealed that the IDF had built shelter camps in Khan Younis, in preparation for evacuating civilians from Rafah. As soon as the evacuation process ends, the IDF will enter the city.

On the opposite side, Mr. Ghazi Hamad, a senior official of Hamas, said that Israel would not achieve its goal by advancing into Rafah. “They have been in the Gaza Strip for nearly 7 months, but have not yet accomplished any of their goals, whether it is eliminating Hamas or freeing hostages. Entering Rafah does not change this,” Mr. Hamad told the media. Arabic.

According to Times of Israel, on April 25, Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya revealed the conditions for this force to lay down its weapons and transform into a political party.

“We are ready to give up our weapons and disband the military branch if a sovereign Palestinian state is established along the pre-1967 borders. Hamas wants to join the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to establish a unified government for the Gaza Strip and the West Bank,” Mr. Al-Hayya said.

Israel has not commented on the statement by the Hamas official, but observers believe that Tel Aviv will not agree to this clause. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly opposed the creation of an independent Palestinian state, and preparations for an attack on Rafah are the most obvious move.

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