Ben Gvir Calls on Netanyahu to Resume Fighting in Gaza Following Raid on Rafah
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Sunday called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to issue orders to resume full-scale fighting in the Gaza Strip, following reports of an Israeli airstrike on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
Ben Gvir said in a post on the “X” platform that the government must “put an end to the dangerous illusions regarding the possibility of Hamas changing its behavior or abiding by the signed agreements,” adding that “the time has come to return to fighting with full force.”
The Israeli minister’s statements came after media reports indicated that the Israeli army carried out a raid on targets in Rafah following an exchange of fire between Israeli forces and militants in the area.
Israeli Channel 12 reported that “militants fired at an Israeli military vehicle in Rafah, and the army responded with gunfire,” while the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation stated that the airstrike “came after Hamas violated the ceasefire.”
Other Israeli media pointed out that Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant (or Katz, according to some sources) held a meeting to assess the field situation in Rafah and confirmed “the government’s commitment to directing the army to act immediately if necessary.”
According to Channel 14, the Israeli army is considering new field options in the southern Gaza Strip in anticipation of renewed confrontations, while Israel and Hamas exchange accusations of violating the temporary ceasefire agreement that came into effect last week.
