Israel will proceed with an offensive against Rafah, the last shelter in southern Gaza, after allowing civilians to evacuate the area, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday.
The Israeli leader is under mounting pressure from around the world to delay the planned attack. Regarding the potential timing of the offensive, Netanyahu provided no indication of the offensive’s potential timing.
A day after inconclusive discussions in Cairo surrounding a potential ceasefire and the transfer of Hamas-held hostages, he made his remarks.
“We will fight until complete victory, and this includes a powerful action in Rafah as well, after we allow the civilian population to leave the battle zones,” Netanyahu said on his Telegram account. He did not say where the hundreds of thousands in Rafah might go.
Israeli hostage relatives said they would barricade the Israeli defense headquarters on Wednesday to protest Israel’s decision not to send negotiators to the next Cairo talks.
The 134 hostages held captive in Hamas’ tunnels face the death penalty, according to the organization, which reflects the increasing discontent within Israel.
