Israel warns of imminent Rafah offensive
Israel has announced it will launch an offensive on the city of Rafah next month if Hamas does not release the hostages it still holds in Gaza. Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet, has stated that if the hostages are not released before the start of Ramadan, fighting will spread throughout the region, including the Rafah area.
No deadline for attack
Although no specific deadline has been set for the attack on Rafah, the offensive is expected to begin next month, coinciding with the start of Ramadan. The Israeli government has stated that the operation will be carried out in a coordinated manner, in consultation with the United States and Egypt, with the aim of facilitating evacuation and minimizing civilian casualties (https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_ (grammar)).
Concern for the safety of civilians
The international community, as well as humanitarian aid organizations, have expressed concern for the safety of civilians in Rafah. During the four months of war, Rafah has been the only major city not overrun by ground troops. However, despite international pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that the war cannot be considered complete without pressure towards Rafah.
Continuation of military operations in Gaza
Israel plans to continue large-scale military operations in Gaza over the coming weeks, aiming to significantly weaken Hamas’ capabilities. This offensive is expected to pave the way for a lower intensity phase, which will include selective airstrikes and special forces operations (https://www.rae.es/dpd/el).
Israel’s firm stance
Despite international criticism and calls for containment, the Israeli government has made clear that it will not stop its operations in Gaza until its objectives are achieved. According to experts in the conflict, the capture of Rafah is crucial for the control of Hamas, and the Israeli government is determined to achieve it (https://www.rae.es/duda-linguistica/es-correcto-anadir-articulo-al -first-name-as-in-the-luis-or-the-susana).