Israeli opposition leader blames government for “abandoning hostages”

CAIRO – 6 May 2024: Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid blamed his government, Monday for “abandoning hostages” in Gaza. He affirmed that “they must do everything to return them back”.

This comes in conjunction of the preparation of an Israeli possible invasion to the Palestinian Rafah city amid international rejection.

According to a high-level source, The Egyptian security delegation is intensifying its contacts to contain the current escalation between Israel and Hamas.

It was added that Hamas latest bombing of the Kerem Shalom area caused ceasefire negotiations to falter.

On Sunday, Israel announced the killing of 3 of its soldiers and the injury of 9 others, as a result of shells falling on the troop concentration area at the Kerem Shalom crossing.

Hamas announced its responsibility of the bombing east of Rafah city, with “Rajum” missile system.

The Israeli army called on residents east of Rafah Palestinian city in Gaza Strip to evacuate the area immediately and go to Al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis, as it is considered a “safe” area.

Israeli announced on Monday that the evacuation of civilians from the Palestinian Rafah is part of a limited-scale operation.

It was added that the evacuation process from east Rafah, includes about 100,000 people.

Israel also warned the residents in its statement that Gaza remains a 'dangerous combat zone', and that they must Refrain from returning to it.

Egypt has warned all parties of the danger of the current escalation and stressed the necessity of returning to negotiations and the significant progress achieved in it, High-level source said to Al Qahera news channel, Monday.

In a statement, Palestinian presidency said that Israeli authorities have actually begun preparations for committing ‘a huge genocide’ by invading Palestinian Rafah.

'We hold the American administration responsible for the dangerous Israeli policies', the statement added.

The presidency also noted that Rafah invasion means that 1.5 million citizens will be subjected to a “genocidal massacre”.

Palestinian presidency affirmed that they are conducting “intensive contacts” with regional and international parties, especially the U.S., trying to stop “Rafah invasion massacre”.

Al Qahera news channel reported that violent Israeli raids started to target east of Rafah Palestinian city, and that explosions were heard in eastern areas.