IDF forces in the Gaza Strip. (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)
The war cabinet is expected to convene today (Wednesday) to approve the expansion of the operation in Rafah, which the IDF hopes will take only a few weeks to complete, according to a report by Maariv.
Per the report, five brigades are now operating in the Rafah area - Commando, one armored, and three infantry (Hanegev, Givati, Nachal). Thus far, the fighting has been fairly rapid thanks to the evacuation of over a million Palestinians to the central Gaza Strip.
The IDF believes that its continued success here in eliminating terrorists and destroying infrastructure, as well as destroying smuggling tunnels, will put pressure on Hamas leadership and especially Yahya Sinwar to agree to a hostage deal acceptable to Israel.