Israel was hit by an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on October 7, with Hamas movement's troops infiltrating border areas. On October 8, the Israeli government announced that it had invoked Article 40 of the Basic Law, which means the country was officially in a state of war.

Israel to Fight Until Hamas's Total Defeat, Including Combat Action in Rafah, Netanyahu States

08:17, 18 February 2024

TEL AVIV (Sputnik) - Israel has been conducting airstrikes on Rafah in preparation for a ground offensive to target Hamas, having forced many Palestinians to seek refuge in the city over the past four months. This week, the International Criminal Court ordered Israel to "immediately" implement provisional measures in Rafah.

Sputnik

Israel will continue fighting in the Gaza Strip until the complete defeat of Palestinian movement Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday, adding that the operation would involve combat action in Rafah that is located in the Palestinian enclave's south.

"Yesterday, I spoke with US President Joe Biden again. I strongly state to world leaders that Israel will fight to an absolute victory, including the combat action in Rafah. Those who want to prevent us from operating in Rafah in fact want to prevent us from winning the war," Netanyahu told a news conference.

Israel's prime minister said that the military operation in Rafah would start only after an evacuation of civilians to a safe area.