Benjamin Netanyahu rejects truce talks in Gaza and closes Al Jazeera office in Israel

1. Despite the absence of an Israeli delegation in Cairo, Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s position, stating that his country “cannot accept” Hamas’ demands. “We are not prepared to accept a situation in which Hamas brigades emerge from their bunkers, take control of Gaza again, rebuild their military infrastructure and once again threaten the citizens of Israel in the settlements surrounding the southern mountains, in all parts of the country,” he said.

2. Netanyahu’s remarks came during a Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony in Jerusalem, where he denounced international criticism and rising anti-Semitism surrounding Israel’s defensive actions in Gaza. “If Israel is forced to be alone, Israel will be alone,” Netanyahu said.

3. “No nation has come to our aid,” he added. “Today, we again face enemies bent on our destruction. I say to the leaders of the world, no pressure, no decision from any international forum, will stop Israel from defending itself.”

4. Gaza’s deadliest conflict erupted after Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in more than 1,170 casualties, mostly civilians. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has claimed the lives of at least 34,683 people in Gaza, predominantly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory.

5. The Israeli military reported that a rocket attack launched early Sunday from the blockaded Gaza Strip toward the Kerem Shalom border crossing resulted in the deaths of three soldiers and the injuries of a dozen more. According to the military, three of the injured were in critical condition.

6. Hamas claimed responsibility for the rocket attack, prompting Israeli authorities to close the crossing used to deliver aid to Gaza. According to the Israeli military, 14 rockets were fired at the crossing from an area close to the Rafah crossing.

7. Hamas said on Sunday that the group’s delegation for Gaza ceasefire discussions in Cairo was leaving for “consultations” in Qatar, despite Netanyahu saying that meeting demands to cease the war would amount to surrender. In response, Qatar-based Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh accused Netanyahu of undermining the negotiations.

8. CIA Director Bill Burns is also headed to Doha for “emergency” talks on mediation efforts with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.

9. On Sunday, Netanyahu announced the government’s decision to cease operations of Al Jazeera, a Qatar-based news channel that has provided continuous coverage of the conflict. Shortly after the announcement, the channel ended broadcasting. Al Jazeera denounced Israel’s action as a “criminal act” and promised to seek legal recourse.

10. Netanyahu has vowed to launch an invasion of Rafah regardless of any ceasefire agreement, despite reservations from the United States, other nations and humanitarian organizations.

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