Israel Threatens To Expand Military Operations To Rafah If All Hostages Are Not Freed Of Ramadan

Israeli military land operations in Gaza. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - The Israeli army will expand its military operations to the Rafah in the south of the gaza if all hostages still detained by the Hamas group are not released in early Ramadan, Israeli War Cabinet minister Benny Gantz said.

Gantz's comments appear to be the clearest deadline for Israeli military action in the southern Gaza city, where more than 1 million Palestinian refugees take refuge near the Egyptian border. Meanwhile, this year's Muslim holy month is expected to begin on March 10 or 11.

"The world should know and Hamas leaders should know, if in the month of Ramadan our hostages are not at home, fighting will continue into the Rafah region," Gantz said at a meeting of American Jewish organizations in Jerusalem.

"We will do so in a coordinated manner, facilitating the evacuation of civilians through dialogue with our partners in America and Egypt to minimize civilian casualties," Gantz explained.

Israel says it plans to expand its ground operations to Rafah as part of its goal of destroying Hamas following the October 7 attack.

However, there are growing concerns that some 1.5 million Palestinians sheltering there have no place to go.

"To those who say the price to be paid is too high, I say this very clearly: Hamas has a choice, they can surrender, release hostages, and Gazans will be able to celebrate Ramadan," said Gantz.

It is known that a number of international countries and agencies, including the Western state and Israel's traditional ally, the United States, have warned of concerns over Israel's plans to attack Rafah.

President Biden has even emphasized his concerns several times, asking Israel not to continue the attack on Rafah if it cannot ensure the safety and security of civilians.