Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah, despite any potential ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Netanyahu made the announcement amid negotiations and just hours before U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's arrival in Israel to facilitate a truce in what is seemingly the most serious rounds of negotiations between Israel and Hamas since the start of the war.
The deal would secure the release of hostages and bring relief to the country while preventing an Israeli offensive into Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering, and subjecting any more harm to the civilians there.
However, Netanyahu has repeatedly indicated Israel would enter Rafah to destroy Hamas' battalions there regardless of any truce-for-hostages deal.
His remarks are an attempt at pacifying his nationalist governing partners, but they are not entirely transparent as to whether they would have any effect on any potential deal with Hamas.
In a statement from the prime minister's office, obtained by The Associated Press, Netanyahu stated, "The idea that we will stop the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question."
Further reaffirming, "We will enter Rafah, and we will eliminate Hamas' battalions there-with or without a deal-to achieve a total victory,"
Peacemaker and mediator Blinken spoke in Jordan prior to his trip to Israel, declaring that there would be "no more delays. No more excuses. The time to act is now."
"We want to see this agreement come together," he added.
Netanyahu continues to face immense pressure from his cabinet members to reject a deal that would eliminate the possibility of an attack on Rafah.
Netanyahu met with one of those members on Tuesday, where he promised National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir that "Israel will enter Rafah, promised that we are not stopping the war, and promised that there won't be a reckless deal."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who heads the ultranationalist Religious Zionist party, also chimed in.
"You can't do half the job," he said, referring to Hamas and the "total annihilation" of Israel's enemies.
1,200 Israelis were killed in an unprecedented attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, mainly civilians, while 250 were taken hostage, 100 of whom are believed to still be alive, held by militants, along with the remains of more than 30 others.
The war in Gaza has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, with 80% currently sheltering in Rafah after forced from their homes amid Israel's destruction throughout the enclave.
