With his remarks, retired general Benny Gantz has become the first Israeli official to discuss in public the timing of a ground invasion of Rafah. In the southern city, almost 1.5 million Palestinians have taken up residence.
At a gathering of Jewish American leaders, retired general Benny Gantz, one of the three members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet, stated: “If by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue to the Rafah area.”
It is the first time that the authorities of Israel have openly discussed a timetable for a ground invasion of Rafah, where over half of the 2.3 million residents of the enclave have taken sanctuary.
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan, during which people fast, has always been a contentious period in the area.
Mr. Netanyahu promised to “finish the job” and dismissed calls to halt the military assault in Gaza as Mr. Gantz made his remarks.
Additionally, he called the demands made by the terrorist Hamas group that rules Gaza “delusional” given the difficulties in advancing peace talks.
The US, Israel’s main ally, said it still expects to mediate a cease-fire and agreement for the release of hostages, and it sees a more comprehensive end to the conflict.
