• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says “intense phase” of fighting in Rafah is nearly over
• He has emphasised that the war against Hamas is not ending until the group is fully ousted from power
• Israeli troops soon redeployed to the Lebanon border where clashes with Hezbollah are escalating
• Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant is visiting Washington to discuss the war in Gaza and rising tensions with Hezbollah

Intense fighting in Rafah near end, says Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the “intense phase” of fighting in Rafah, southern Gaza, is nearly over, but emphasised that the war against Hamas is not ending until the group is fully ousted from power. Netanyahu stated that the Israeli military will soon redeploy troops to the Lebanon border, where clashes with Hezbollah are escalating. He rejected the idea of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority taking over Gaza, advocating instead for ongoing military demilitarisation by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and a civil administration supported by regional countries.

Residents in Rafah reported continued clashes and Israeli air strikes on Gaza City reportedly killed the Hamas-run health ministry’s director of emergency services. An aid distribution centre was also hit, which the IDF claimed was used by Hamas. Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant is visiting Washington to discuss the war in Gaza and rising tensions with Hezbollah, backed by Iran. 

Since Hama’s attack on southern Israel on October 7 – in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 people taken hostage, over 37,551 people in Gaza have been reported killed by the Hamas-run health ministry.