The countdown is on until the start of Ramadan, scheduled for March 10 or 11.
In recent days, Israel has threatened to launch the offensive on Rafah, feared by the international community, during the Muslim holy month.
“If by Ramadan, the hostages are not at home, the fighting will continue everywhere, including in the Rafah region,” warned Benny Gantz, minister and member of the Israeli war cabinet.
“Hamas has a choice,” he said.
They can surrender, free the hostages, and the civilians of Gaza will be able to celebrate Ramadan.
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By posing this ultimatum, the Jewish state obviously intends to put pressure on the Palestinian Islamist movement to achieve its ends.
“Gantz seeks to recover as many hostages as possible before entering Rafah, because this operation could be carnage for Palestinian civilians, Israeli soldiers, but also the hostages,” explains Sébastien Boussois, researcher specializing in the Middle East.
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