Israel’s War Cabinet Threatens Invasion of Rafah if Israeli Hostages are Not Freed by Ramadan
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a new turn as a member of Israel’s War Cabinet threatens to invade Rafah if the remaining Israeli hostages are not freed by the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan. This announcement, made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has raised concerns worldwide, even among some of Israel’s staunchest allies.
Rafah, a border city between Gaza and Egypt, has become a refuge for more than half of Gaza’s population after Israeli forces ordered them to evacuate there. However, there are growing concerns that Israel may attempt to push the Palestinians into Egypt, an allegation that Israel denies. Despite mounting pressure to halt the offensive, Netanyahu remains resolute in his determination to “finish the job” in Gaza.
The deadline for the release of the Israeli hostages was set by retired general Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli PM’s three-member War Cabinet. While Gantz holds influence, he does not have the final say on what actions will be taken. The Israeli government has not publicly discussed a timeline for a ground offensive in Rafah, leaving the situation shrouded in uncertainty.
Gantz made his statement during a conference of Jewish American leaders, stating, “If by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue to the Rafah area.” This declaration adds an additional layer of tension to an already volatile region. Ramadan, expected to begin on March 10, has historically been a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Netanyahu’s objective is to achieve “total victory” over Hamas. However, criticism is mounting both inside and outside of Israel regarding the feasibility of this goal and the potential cost it may entail. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has already claimed the lives of at least 28,985 Palestinians, with the majority being women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. It is important to note that the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
In a retaliatory attack on October 7, Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostages. Currently, Palestinian militants still hold approximately 130 hostages, with a quarter of them believed to be deceased, some due to Israeli fire. The release of most of the hostages occurred during a weeklong ceasefire in November.
As tensions continue to rise and the threat of invasion looms over Rafah, the international community watches with growing concern. The potential consequences of an Israeli offensive in the border city are significant, both for the people of Gaza and for the broader geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. The coming weeks leading up to Ramadan will undoubtedly be filled with uncertainty and apprehension as the world waits to see how this conflict unfolds.
