Hamas official: Israel’s call to evacuate Rafah will lead to collapse of hostage-truce talks

An official from Hamas tells the Walla news site that Israel’s call for civilians to evacuate parts of Rafah ahead of a potential ground offensive will lead to the collapse of the precarious talks for a hostage and truce deal.

“The Israeli decision to begin evacuating the population will stop the negotiations on the deal, which had progressed well and we were close to an agreement,” the official from the terror group tells the Walla news site.

“[Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is under the illusion that the threat of an invasion of Rafah will put pressure on Hamas, but it will only lead to the collapse of the negotiations,” the official says.

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