Gantz, a key member of Israel's wartime cabinet and former defense minister, warned on the 18th that Israel would launch a ground assault on the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip unless Hamas released the hostages who were still being held before the Ramadan holiday in March.
Gantz spoke at a meeting of chairs of major American Jewish groups in Jerusalem on February 18. Gantz's speech caused an uproar in Jerusalem. "Hamas has a clear option for those who claim that the cost [of attacking Rafah] is too high: they have the option to surrender and release the hostages," he made clear. In this way, the inhabitants of Gaza have the opportunity to celebrate the holy holiday of Ramadan. ”
The whole world should understand, and so should Hamas's leaders, that if our hostages have not returned home by the time Ramadan arrives, fighting will continue everywhere, including in Rafah. "We should let them know that if we stop now, will they see us as an enemy? If they don't, then I'm going to tell them we're going to rescue them! Gantz further elaborated.
Rafah is geographically located at the southern tip of the Gaza Strip and shares a common border with Egypt. As a result, Rafah is one of the most important transit points for international migrants in the Middle East and North Africa. Previously, in defense of Chang Gallant, they claimed that Rafah was the last remaining stronghold of Hamas, but at the same time Rafah was also the last refuge for more than a million displaced Palestinians. This year's Ramadan holiday for Muslims is scheduled to start on March 10 and last for a month.
Prior to this, the United States had already warned Israel that "unless there is a credible and implementable plan to guarant" the safety and support of civilians in the city, there should be no military offensive. Israel** appears both cautious and firm in the face of warnings from its allies. Several of Israel's Western allies have issued similar warnings.
On the 17th, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the ceasefire agreement proposed by Hamas and called it "delusional". It also means that Lafarge's peace talks with Israel have reached an impasse. Netanyahu noted that ground activity in Rafah is crucial to eliminating Hamas's remaining troops, and that those who advise Israel to stay away from the region are actually calling on Israel to lose the war.
Mr. Gantz's comments came hours after Israel's cabinet had approved a statement rejecting unilateral action by States to establish a Palestinian state. The Israeli authorities have insisted that they will not accept any form of unilateral action, believing that it will lead to a further deterioration of the situation in the region. Officially, Israel says the creation of a Palestinian state is an unprecedented reward for terrorist activities".
In his speech on the 18th, Gantz, a member of Israel's wartime cabinet, pledged that he would continue to fight until Israel's goals were achieved, including eliminating the threat from Hamas and Allah in Lebanon, bringing home the remaining 130 or so hostages, and completely replacing Hamas in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also issued a statement on the same day, saying that he would withdraw all Israeli troops from the waters near the Gaza Islands, but did not demand the withdrawal of troops to the Gulf region. He further noted that Israel's military would work with the United States and Egypt to evacuate civilians from Gaza in a joint effort to minimize the number of civilians.