Netanyahu to Dutch PM Rutte: Israel will not ‘leave the terror battalions in Rafah alone’

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte meets Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, February 12, 2024 (Kobi Gideon/GPO)
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte meets Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, February 12, 2024 (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

Meeting with Dutch premier Mark Rutte in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stresses that Israel will not “leave the terror battalions in Rafah alone,” and that the war will continue until Israel’s achieve total victory over Hamas.

This is Rutte’s third visit to Israel since October 7.

He is also meeting war cabinet minister Benny Gantz, and with Palestinian Authority PM Mohammed Shtayyeh.

In a tweet earlier today, Rutte calls for Israeli operations to “quickly and significantly reduce their intensity.”

He also warned that a major operation in Rafah would have “catastrophic humanitarian consequences,” and called for an immediate ceasefire that culminates in a “lasting end” to the conflict, including a Palestinian state.

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