Israel will be launching an operation in Rafah should there be no progress made on the hostage deal in the coming days, GLZ Radio reported on Tuesday citing security officials. Previously, Ynet News reported that Israel’s Defense Forces Chief of Staff General Herzi Halevi greenlighted the final plans for the military operation. According to the news outlet, numerous Israeli tanks have lined up on the Gaza border and are waiting for an order to begin the action should the hostage negotiations fall through yet again. The order could be given in the next 48 to 72 hours, as per Ynet.
Netanyahu: Rafah op coming soon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Tuesday that the goals of the war remain unchanged, Sky News Arabia cited him as saying.
Netanyahu stressed that the Rafah military operation “will be taking place soon,” insisting that “it is out of the question” to stop until Hamas brigades in the area are eliminated. He repeated that Israel wouldn’t be surrendering to the militant group and added that the order would be given regardless of what happens in hostage negotiations.
The prime minister also remarked that the process of evacuating Rafah commenced. Earlier, Israeli military radio shared that the invasion of the region could happen in the next 48 to 72 hours, should there be no progress on hostage talks.
NN: Audio File