KAN-Netanyahu Approves Plan For Rafah Operation

Amachai Stein at Kan, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation posts on X: "Prime Minister Netanyahu approved the plans for a military operation in Rafah. The IDF is getting prepared for the operational side and for the evacuation of the population from the area". The Israeli gov't has come under major international pressure, including from its closesy ally the United States, not to launch a military operation into Rafah given the risk of high civilian casulaties. However, the Netanyahu gov't has argued an IDF operation in Rafah is crucial in order to root out Hamas fighters using civilians as a human shield.

• A speech from US Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on 14 March criticising the Netanyahu gov't and calling for fresh elections garnered significant attention in Israel. The speech garnered an angry response from Israeli officials.
• Separately, Barak Ravid at Axios posts on X: "After Hamas submitted its response, the Israeli war cabinet decided that an Israeli delegation will travel to Doha for further negotiations on the hostage deal, the Israeli prime minister's office said." Earlier in the week, the Qatari Foreign Ministry claimed that “We are not near a Gaza ceasefire deal but remain hopeful,”
• The Israeli decision on sending negotiators comes following Hamasissuing on 14 March its reponse to a proposed US-Egypt-Qatar brokered deal. Earlier, PM Benjamin Netanyahu's office played down the Hamas response, claiming that the group was "holding to unrealistic demands".