Israel has announced plans to expand its military operations in Rafah, despite warnings from the U.S. about potential mass casualties.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Israel intensified its military campaign in central Gaza on Monday, targeting northern towns and planning to broaden operations in Rafah. This move comes despite U.S. concerns over the risk of significant civilian casualties in the southern city. Gaza medics reported at least 23 fatalities in recent clashes, with intense fighting in Jabalia.
Israeli tanks conducted limited incursions into Wadi Al-Salqa and Al-Karara near Deir Al-Balah, marking the first entry of Israeli forces into this central Gazan city in over seven months of conflict. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, currently in Israel for talks, has urged for targeted operations rather than a full-scale assault on Rafah. However, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant affirmed Israel’s commitment to dismantling Hamas and rescuing hostages. “We are committed to broadening the ground operation in Rafah to the end of dismantling Hamas and recovering the hostages,” Gallant told Sullivan.
Israel considers Rafah, on Gaza’s border with Egypt, as Hamas’ last significant stronghold. Despite assurances about humanitarian safeguards, Western powers express concern for the displaced Palestinians. The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) estimates that around 810,000 people have fled, potentially more than half of Rafah’s wartime population.
The expansion of operations in Rafah has strained relations with the U.S., leading to a temporary halt on a weapons shipment due to fears of high civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan announced on Monday that he had requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders—Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Al-Masri (known as Deif), and Ismail Haniyeh—over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Khan stated that he had “reasonable grounds to believe that all bear criminal responsibility” for these crimes.
The allegations against Netanyahu and Gallant include using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and causing great suffering and wilful killing. Hamas leaders face allegations of extermination, murder, taking hostages, torture, rape, and other acts of sexual violence. Israeli and Palestinian leaders have dismissed the war crimes allegations. Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz condemned the prosecutor’s actions as a “distortion of justice,” while senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri claimed the decision “equates the victim with the executioner.”
The ICC, which relies on member states to enforce arrest warrants, faces opposition from the U.S. and Israel, both non-members of the court. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 35,000 Palestinians and more than 280 Israeli soldiers killed since October 7.
Heavy fighting continues in Jabalia, with reports of battles in the camp’s heart and in previously unentered alleys. Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters are reportedly using anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs against Israeli forces in various Gaza regions, including Rafah. Despite mediation attempts by Egypt and Qatar, a ceasefire agreement remains elusive. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry expressed skepticism about reaching a ceasefire while military operations persist.
Israel has not committed to ending its offensive in Gaza but seeks an exchange deal for hostages held by Hamas for Palestinians detained in Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faces growing pressure to define Gaza’s future governance post-conflict. According to a recent poll on Israel’s Channel 13 TV, public opinion is divided on whether the Rafah operation will bring “total victory” closer, with 41% supporting the operation and 46% opposing it.
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