Netanyahu Confirms IDF To Launch Rafah Offensive, Sets Undisclosed Date

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday his decision to launch a significant Israel Defense Forces (IDF) offensive in Rafah, the southern Gaza city. In a video statement, Netanyahu did not disclose the specific timing of the planned operation but emphasized that “Victory [over Hamas] requires entering Rafah and eliminating the terrorist battalions there. This will happen. There is a date.”

The announcement follows Netanyahu’s repeated authorizations of IDF operational plans for Rafah, despite no immediate actions being taken, especially after the IDF’s full withdrawal from Khan Yunis, which further reduced its military footprint in Gaza. At the peak of the conflict, IDF presence in Gaza reached approximately 30,000 troops, a number significantly reduced in the lead-up to the latest announcement.

Rafah is currently home to four Hamas battalions and over a million civilians who have sought refuge there amid the ongoing conflict. It is also believed to be a hideout for Hamas leaders and possibly Israeli hostages. The plan to initiate an offensive in Rafah has been met with intense international opposition, notably from the United States, which has expressed skepticism and concerns about the humanitarian impact and the feasibility of evacuating over a million non-combatants from the city.

In response to Netanyahu’s statement, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller and White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby both reiterated the US’s opposition to a major invasion of Rafah. They argued that Israel’s objectives could be achieved through alternative means that would minimize civilian harm and maintain humanitarian access. Kirby further noted that there are no immediate signs of a major ground operation being imminent and highlighted ongoing efforts to convince Israel to consider other strategies.