Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. (Screenshot of Prime Minister's Office footage.)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu released a clip today (Monday) where he updated Israeli citizens on the government's plans moving forward, stating that an operation in Rafah has a definitive date.
This statement comes against the background of increased worldwide and even American pressure to end the war and efforts to free the hostages through negotiations in Cairo.
The withdrawal of most of the IDF's forces from the Gaza Strip has led to declarations of victory by Hamas and protests by residents on the border with the Strip, as doubts increase whether Israel will enter Rafah militarily.
The Prime Minister's statement is meant to ally those fears.