Worthy Christian News > Israel-Palestinian Conflict > Netanyahu Declares ‘Date Is Set’ for IDF Offensive in Rafah Critical For Victory

Netanyahu Declares ‘Date Is Set’ for IDF Offensive in Rafah Critical For Victory

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a ‘date is set’ for the long-planned invasion of Rafah, emphasizing in a video statement that victory cannot be achieved without conducting a military operation in the Gazan city.

“We are constantly working to achieve our goals—first and foremost the release of all our hostages and achieving a complete victory over Hamas,” Netanyahu stated in a video released on Monday.

“This victory requires entry into Rafah and the elimination of the terrorist battalions there, it will happen —there is a date,” Netanyahu stressed.

Soon afterward, the White House reported that it had not been informed of any details or a specific date concerning an Israeli operation in Rafah.

According to the latest Israeli intelligence, Hamas has a total of four battalions located in Rafah, numbering approximately 3,000 terrorists. Netanyahu has emphasized that to secure Israel’s safety, these battalions must be thoroughly defeated, preventing Hamas from reorganizing and posing a renewed threat to Israel.

The Biden administration is urging Israel to avoid a full-scale ground invasion, warning that such action could result in a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The White House is advocating for a more targeted approach that focuses on high-value Hamas targets and reinforcing the border with Egypt.

However, it is believed that many of the 133 hostages, still held by Hamas after 184 days, are located in Rafah. Last month, a bold operation by Israeli special forces successfully rescued two hostages from the city.

Two weeks ago, Netanyahu told U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, “We have no way to defeat Hamas without entering Rafah and eliminating the remnant of the battalions there.” He added, “I told him that I hope we will do this with US support, but if necessary, we will do it alone.”