PM Netanyahu made a surprise visit to the Rafiach Crossing at the Gaza border today, visiting and speaking to the soldiers. He took pictures with soldiers, toured the inside of armored vehicles, and walked the stairs of various IDF structures at the border crossing.
He spoke about the heroism of the soldiers and about his upcoming visit to the US as well as the importance of maintaining the pressure on Hamas to maximize the number of hostages who get freed.
He made it clear that controlling Rafiach crossing and the Philadelphi route are non-negotiable.
But the real message was his actual presence in Rafiach, indicating that Israel now controls the territory. That was a message to Sinwar, Hamas, Biden, Nasrallah and Iran.
Victory in Gaza and against Hamas is within Israel’s grasp as long as we stay steadfast.
Below is the full statement from PM Netanyahu’s office:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Thursday, 18 July 2024), in Rafah, in the Gaza Strip, received a comprehensive briefing from the Head of the IDF Technological and Logistics Directorate, Maj.-Gen. Michel Yanki, about the activity of the logistics, maintenance and medical personnel, who have been working around the clock for nine months in order to support the combat soldiers. The Prime Minister also received a comprehensive operational briefing from the Commander of the IDF 162nd Division, Brig.-Gen. Itzik Cohen, on the activity of the division in the Rafah sector, both underground and above ground.
Prime Minister Netanyahu then went up to a field observer position overlooking the Philadelphi Corridor, where he was briefed on the fighting in the area.
The Prime Minister also spoke with Givati Brigade fighters and support personnel, who told him about their activity in the sector, and answered their questions.
Prime Minister Netanyahu [translated from Hebrew]:
“I am here inside Rafah with the 162nd Division, their brave commander, Itzik Cohen, and the heroic soldiers.
I was impressed by their incredible achievements, by the understanding that their operations both underground and aboveground are essential to the security of Israel, and by the understanding that our holding the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah Crossing are vital for the future.
At the same time, the military pressure that they are applying here, to the throat of Hamas, is helping us, together with the steadfast insistence on our just demands, to advance the hostages deal – including our demand to free the maximum number of hostages already in the first stage of the outline. This double pressure is not delaying the deal – it is advancing it.
Next week I am leaving for the US to address both houses of Congress. I am going to present the justice of Israel’s cause, but I am also going to present the heroism of Israel, which I see here. I see here Matan Algerbali, a commander who was wounded in the stomach in the first days of the fighting, recovered, came back, and is a battalion commander here.
And I see the soldiers here, who are fighting in the field, the logistics personnel, the doctors; it is hard to believe what is happening here. This is the pride of the people of Israel. With such spirit, we will achieve the total victory.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu was accompanied by his Chief-of-Staff, Tzachi Braverman, National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi and his Military Secretary, Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman.
