PM Netanyahu Says Military Operations In Rafah Will Take Several Weeks

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

JAKARTA - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said military operations in Rafah would take several weeks, after confirming he would carry out an attack on the region.

"It will take a few weeks, and that will happen," PM Netanyahu said on Sunday, launching CNN March 17.

PM Netanyahu further explained, "the operational plans for action in Rafah, including advancing measures to evacuate civilian residents from the combat zone," have been approved.

"This is an important stage ahead of military action," he said.

Although he said Israel had plans to evacuate civilians from Rafah, Israel's aid agencies and allies remain skeptical.

Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the Israeli military would continue its military operations in Gaza by surrendering to Rafah, warding off international pressure, despite efforts by negotiations to reach a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.

Speaking at Sunday's cabinet meeting, PM Netanyahu said Israel would surrender Rafah, the only relatively safe territory in Gaza so far in a war that has been going on for five months.

"We will operate in Rafah, and that will happen," he said, without explaining whether he meant the attack would last for weeks or would start in a few weeks.

Israel's allies have repeatedly urged PM Netanyahu not to attack Rafah, where more than one million refugees from other regions in the destroyed enclave seek refuge, without plans to protect civilians.

On the other hand, efforts by the negotiations to reach a ceasefire continue. Hamas submitted a proposal for a new ceasefire last week, including the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli security cabinet will meet to discuss this before the delegation leaves his country.