Israel pledged that the military would facilitate the evacuation of Gazan civilians to minimise casualties.
JERUSALEM - Israel will launch a ground offensive in the Rafah area of Gaza unless the hostages still held by Hamas are released by the Ramadan holiday in March, Israeli Minister without Portfolio Benny Gantz said on Feb 18.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that a ground operation in Rafah is essential for eliminating Hamas’ remaining battalions and that those calling for Israel to stay out of the area are essentially calling for Israel to lose the war. Mr Gantz also told the Jewish leaders that he opposes unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, and that followingThe war with Hamas began when the group infiltrated from Gaza and carried out attacks across southern Israel, leaving about 1,200 people dead and taking more than 250 hostage.
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