Israel Announces Start of Ramadan Attack on Rafah
Former Israeli Chief of Staff, Benny Gantz, has issued a warning to Hamas leaders, stating that if Israeli hostages are not released by Ramadan, the fighting will continue and will extend to the Rafah region. Gantz made this statement at a conference attended by American Jewish leaders, emphasizing the severity of the situation and the potential for an escalation of the conflict.
This is not the first time Gantz has discussed a timeline for the attack, but it marks the first instance of the Israeli government setting a deadline for its planned offensive on the city where many displaced Palestinians have sought refuge.
Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims, is set to begin on March 10, and Gantz’s statement indicated that Hamas should release the hostages at the start of March. If this does not happen, the ground attack will commence during Ramadan.
Additionally, Gantz mentioned that the offensive would be coordinated with the United States and Egypt to facilitate the evacuation of civilians and minimize civilian casualties as much as possible.
In the midst of these developments, there is growing pressure from the international community to ensure the safety and welfare of civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip. Many are concerned about where people can settle safely, particularly in Rafah, the last major city not occupied by ground troops during the ongoing conflict.
Despite mounting international pressure, including a direct appeal from US President Joe Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains adamant that the war cannot be completed without applying pressure on Rafah.
As tensions continue to rise, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days and weeks as the deadline approaches. The world watches with bated breath as efforts are made to prevent further escalation and protect innocent lives caught in the crossfire.
