Rafah ground offensive looms as Netanyahu picks date amid Cairo discussions
Palestinians inspect damages at Al Shifa Hospital after Israeli forces withdrew from the Hospital and the area around it following a two-week operation, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City April 1, 2024. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that a date has been established for an Israeli military operation in Rafah.
The announcement follows renewed ceasefire discussions and hostages release efforts in Cairo.
Speaking on Monday, Netanyahu emphasized on the plans to enter Rafah to eliminate the Hamas group without specifying further details.
Netanyahu’s message came a day after the Israeli military on Sunday said it had withdrawn its troop from southern Gaza to prepare for future operations. However, Israeli forces remain stationed in other areas of the Gaza Strip.
United States officials expressed concerns that they expected Israel to present a viable plan to protect the more than 1.4 civilian population of Rafah before proceeding with any ground incursion.
To address these concerns, Netanyahu’s top advisers Tzachi Hanegbi, and Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer are expected to visit Washington to present a formal operational strategy to US counterparts after the prime minister’s initial cancellation of their planned visit late last month
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is also scheduled to engage with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in discussions this week.
