Netanyahu-Hamas Truce Deal 'Very Far From Israel's Essential Demands'

Wires carrying comments from PM Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the prospect of a ceasefire agreement being reached, and the seizure of the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing by Israeli forces earlier today. Netanyahu: "Last night, with the approval of the War Cabinet, I ordered action in Rafah. A few hours later, our forces raised Israeli flags at the Rafah checkpoint and removed Hamas flags. The entrance to Rafah serves two main military purposes: the return of abductees and the destruction of Hamas."

• Claims that the seizure of the crossing is 'a very significant step towards the destruction of Hamas'. Says that Hamas' supposed approval of a ceasefire deal on 6 May was “meant to sabotage the entry of our forces into Rafah.”
• On the prospect of a ceasefire, Netanyahu claims that Hamas' proposal is 'very far from Israel's essential demands', and that the current military pressure on Hamas 'is a necessary condition for the return of our captives'.