Israeli forces will expand military operations in Rafah if hostages held by Hamas are not returned by the start of Ramadan, Benny Gantz, Israel's war cabinet minister, said on Sunday.
The Muslim holy month is expected to begin on March 10 or 11, and Gantz's comments appear to be the clearest timeline yet for Israeli military action in the southern Gaza Strip city, where more than 1 million Palestinians live. Displaced people take refuge near the border with Egypt.
“The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know – if by Ramadan our hostages are not home – the fighting will continue in the Rafah area,” Gantz told a meeting of American Jewish organizations in Jerusalem.
“We will do this in a coordinated manner, facilitating the evacuation of civilians in dialogue with our American and Egyptian partners to minimize civilian casualties.”
Israel has said it plans to expand its ground operations to Rafah as part of its aim to destroy Hamas following the October 7 attacks. But there is growing concern that the estimated 1.5 million Palestinians sheltering there have nowhere to go.
“To those who say the price is too high, I say this very clearly: Hamas has a choice – it can surrender, release the hostages and the citizens of Gaza will be able to celebrate the holy holiday of Ramadan,” Gantz said.
Source: CNN Brasil
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