Netanyahu’s Decision on Rafah Attack and Its Potential Impact

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement to set a date for a military offensive into Rafah, amid growing pressure, sparks concerns over high civilian casualties. Amid calls to intensify military actions against Hamas from far-right allies, Netanyahu faces backlash over the conduct of the war which has lasted six months. As negotiations continue in Egypt, the prime minister faces demands for a hostage-prisoner swap and ceasefire deal from Israelis and international allies, including the US. However, Netanyahu, backed by far-right parties, is getting pressured to escalate operations against Hamas. Calls to act intensified after the Israel Defense Forces announced the end of major ground operations in Khan Younis, prompting far-right leaders to urge against ending the war without a broad attack on Rafah to defeat Hamas. Despite opposition from the US and other countries, Netanyahu stands firm on pushing towards entry into Rafah to eliminate terrorist battalions. With pressure mounting from various sides and negotiations ongoing, the situation remains volatile, with concerns over regional escalation and humanitarian suffering in Gaza. The fate of the hostages, strategy in talks, and calls for humanitarian assistance highlight the complex challenges that lie ahead, with risks of consequences due to military escalation.