Intense Fighting in Rafah Nears Conclusion
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the 'intense' fighting in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, is nearing its end. 'The intense phase of the fighting against Hamas is about to end. This does not mean that the war is about to end, but the war in its intense phase is about to end in Rafah,' Netanyahu said in an interview with Israeli Channel 14. He added that after this phase, some forces would be redeployed to the north.
Humanitarian Crisis and Casualties
The conflict, which began on October 7 after a deadly Hamas attack on southern Israel, has resulted in significant casualties. According to the Hamas-led local government's Health Ministry, Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed 37,598 Palestinians, mostly civilians. The attack on October 7 led to the deaths of 1,194 people and the kidnapping of 251 individuals, with 116 still held in Gaza.
International and Domestic Pressure
Netanyahu faces mounting pressure both domestically and internationally. On Saturday, more than 150,000 people protested in Tel Aviv, demanding early elections and the return of hostages. Additionally, Netanyahu has criticized the White House for slowing down the shipment of weapons to Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has traveled to Washington to discuss the situation with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The ongoing conflict has also escalated tensions on the border with Lebanon, where exchanges of fire with Hezbollah have become more frequent.
- Netanyahu reiterated that the ultimate goal is to recover the hostages and dismantle the Hamas regime in Gaza. He emphasized that no 'partial' agreement would be accepted.
- The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. The World Health Organization has warned that more than a million people are constantly on the move within the Gaza Strip, searching for safety. The UN has also raised concerns about a potential famine in the region.
- The U.S. government had previously halted the shipment of 3,500 bombs to Israel, citing concerns over their use in densely populated areas like Rafah. This decision has been a point of contention between the two allies.
