‘If we must, we shall fight with our fingernails’ – Netanyahu launches fresh attacks on Rafah as peace talks hit a dead end

Palestinians flee Rafah after Israeli forces launched a ground and air operation in the eastern part of the southern Gaza city. Photo: Reuters

Nidal al-Mughrabhi, Jarrett Renshaw and Mohammed Salem

Israeli forces bombarded areas of Rafah yesterday, Palestinian residents said, as prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed US president Joe Biden’s threat to withhold weapons from Israel if it assaults the southern Gaza city.

A senior Israeli official said last night that the latest round of indirect negotiations in Cairo to halt hostilities in Gaza had ended and Israel would proceed with its operation in Rafah and other parts of the Gaza Strip as planned.