Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to halt, for the time being, the implementation of military activity in Rafah - against the backdrop of growing international pressure against Israeli action in the southern Gaza Strip and alongside attempts by mediators to reach a new deal to release hostages.
According to a report by Michael Shemesh on the B network, two dates have already been set for the start of the operation, but Netanyahu has decided to postpone it for now. However, if attempts to reach a deal fail, the operation will begin in the near future.
Netanyahu's office denied an earlier report about the postponement of the operation in Rafah, claiming it was 'false.'.
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In recent days, it was learned that as part of further flexibility in the negotiations, Israel agreed to withdraw its forces from the Netzarim Corridor. At the same time, in Israel, after the latest conversation between US President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu, they emphasized that there is still an American veto on IDF activity in Rafah.
Netanyahu has approved the plans for the ground operation in Rafah, but has not yet authorized the IDF to operate. According to the plan, the evacuation of the population from Rafah is expected to take place simultaneously with the start of the maneuver.
The smuggling area located in the city of Rafah is an important strategic asset for Hamas. Hamas commander in the Rafah Brigade, Muhammad Shabana, has equipped the four battalions in the city with supplies and weapons, and is recruiting surviving Hamas operatives from the northern Gaza Strip - in an attempt to preserve the terrorist organization's assets in the city as much as possible.
