NEW DELHI: Israel on Sunday issued a warning that it will launch an offensive against Rafah next month if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages held in Gaza by the start of Ramadan.
Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet and retired military chief of staff, delivered this message during a conference of American Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. Gantz said that if the hostages are not freed by the beginning of Ramadan, the fighting will continue, including in the Rafah area.
Ramadan is expected to commence on March 10.
“The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know — if by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue everywhere, including the Rafah area,” Gantz told a conference of American Jewish leaders in Jerusalem.
While the Israeli government has not previously mentioned a specific deadline for its planned assault on Rafah, concerns have been raised about the potential for mass casualties. Foreign governments and aid organizations have repeatedly urged Israel to spare Rafah, as it is the last major city in Gaza that has not been invaded by ground troops during the ongoing war. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that the war cannot be concluded without pressing into Rafah.
Netanyahu has expressed his determination to “finish the job and achieve total victory” over Hamas, regardless of whether a hostage deal is reached.
Gantz assured that any offensive would be conducted in a coordinated manner and in consultation with the United States and Egypt to facilitate an evacuation and minimize civilian casualties. However, it remains unclear where civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip can safely relocate to.
The comments come after weeks of unsuccessful ceasefire negotiations, with Qatar, a key mediator, acknowledging that prospects for a deal are fading. The United States, Israel’s main ally and military supporter, has been pushing for a six-week truce in exchange for the release of the estimated 130 hostages still held in Gaza, including approximately 30 who are presumed dead. Israel believes that many of these hostages, as well as the Hamas leadership, are located in Rafah.
(With agency inputs)
Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet and retired military chief of staff, delivered this message during a conference of American Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. Gantz said that if the hostages are not freed by the beginning of Ramadan, the fighting will continue, including in the Rafah area.
Ramadan is expected to commence on March 10.
“The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know — if by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue everywhere, including the Rafah area,” Gantz told a conference of American Jewish leaders in Jerusalem.
While the Israeli government has not previously mentioned a specific deadline for its planned assault on Rafah, concerns have been raised about the potential for mass casualties. Foreign governments and aid organizations have repeatedly urged Israel to spare Rafah, as it is the last major city in Gaza that has not been invaded by ground troops during the ongoing war. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that the war cannot be concluded without pressing into Rafah.
Netanyahu has expressed his determination to “finish the job and achieve total victory” over Hamas, regardless of whether a hostage deal is reached.
Gantz assured that any offensive would be conducted in a coordinated manner and in consultation with the United States and Egypt to facilitate an evacuation and minimize civilian casualties. However, it remains unclear where civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip can safely relocate to.
The comments come after weeks of unsuccessful ceasefire negotiations, with Qatar, a key mediator, acknowledging that prospects for a deal are fading. The United States, Israel’s main ally and military supporter, has been pushing for a six-week truce in exchange for the release of the estimated 130 hostages still held in Gaza, including approximately 30 who are presumed dead. Israel believes that many of these hostages, as well as the Hamas leadership, are located in Rafah.
(With agency inputs)