by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to eliminate Hamas in Gaza while the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) 98th and 162nd divisions have been intensively preparing for upcoming operations in the Gaza Strip, focusing on the impending Rafah offensive.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the IDF would proceed to enter Rafah regardless of any hostage agreement with Hamas.
The Prime Minister’s Office released a statement in which Netanyahu declared, “The idea that we will halt the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question. We will enter Rafah, and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there – with or without a deal, in order to achieve total victory.”
The announcement arrives as the IDF gears up for a potential offensive in Rafah. Reports from Hebrew media suggest that should a hostage agreement with Hamas not materialize in the next few days, the operation is set to begin.
The 162nd Division has operated in Gaza for six months, focusing on the Netzarim corridor until last week. The 98th Division was in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis for four months before withdrawing earlier this month.
In a statement, the IDF said the divisions are “working to strengthen readiness for the continuation of the war in the Gaza Strip,” having reviewed plans for upcoming operations.
The Biden Administration has stated its firm stance against civilian casualties in the event that the IDF enters Rafah, presenting a significant challenge in an area home to over a million civilians.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Israel on Wednesday.
Blinken’s visit is centered on ensuring the IDF takes every measure to minimize civilian casualties if Israel decides to enter Israel.
Blinken will examine the locations of evacuation zones, the readiness of medical facilities to treat the injured, and the arrangements for providing food to those evacuated from Rafah to designated humanitarian areas.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian military is on high alert due to fears of a mass exodus from Rafah. These fears have pushed Cairo to pressure Hamas for a settlement to avoid further Israeli military action.
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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