Israel issued a warning on Monday, stating that it would attack the densely populated city of Rafah at the start of Ramadan next month if all its remaining hostages are not returned. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized Israel's readiness to "finish the job" of destroying Hamas without announcing a plan to safely move civilians.
More than 1.4 million Palestinians have crowded into Rafah since the war began on October 7, with many living in tents or lacking proper shelter. President Joe Biden has urged Israel to devise an evacuation plan for these civilians before any attack on Rafah.
In response to a report of another ship being damaged by Houthi rebels in Yemen, the Council of the European Union announced a defensive security operation to protect commercial ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis have been targeting ships in support of Hamas during the Israeli-Gaza conflict.
Israeli Defense Forces reported detecting and killing Hamas fighters who launched a rocket into Israel from Gaza on Sunday. The IDF's Nahal Brigade soldiers quickly located a rocket launch site and instructed the Air Force to conduct a strike. The IDF also identified and neutralized a suspected rocket launcher attempting to enter Gaza City. The rocket launched from the site landed in an uninhabited area of Israel, causing no injuries.
"If our hostages are not returned by Ramadan, the fighting will continue everywhere, including in the Rafah area," warned Benny Gantz, a member of Netanyahu's war cabinet. The IDF's actions underscore the seriousness of Israel's stance and its determination to protect its citizens and interests.
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