Netanyahu announces: When will the ground offensive on Rafah take place?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared a post on his X account regarding Israel's attacks in Gaza.

Stating that they aim to secure the release of hostages in Gaza and achieve "victory over Hamas," Netanyahu argued that an offensive on Rafah is necessary for this purpose.

"THERE IS A DATE"

Regarding the ground offensive on Rafah, where 1.5 million displaced people have taken refuge after fleeing Israeli attacks, Netanyahu stated, "It will happen, there is a date."

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated yesterday that the army had withdrawn from Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, where it left behind massive destruction, in preparation for an offensive on Rafah in the south.

The city of Rafah, located on the Egyptian border in the southern Gaza Strip, was home to approximately 280 thousand Palestinians before the Israeli attacks. Due to Israel's attacks starting on October 7, 1.9 million people have been displaced in the Gaza Strip, which has a population of 2.3 million.

A large portion of the displaced Palestinians took refuge in Rafah, which Israel had previously claimed was "safe." With those arriving from northern regions, the population of Rafah has increased more than fourfold, reaching 1.5 million.

Israeli forces frequently target the city of Rafah with airstrikes. There are concerns that if Israel launches a ground offensive on Rafah, civilians will have nowhere left to take shelter in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had instructed the Israeli army and security establishment on February 9 to "prepare a plan for an offensive on Rafah."