Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday reiterated his threats that Israel would invade the southern Gaza Strip of Rafah to clear it out of Hamas terrorists.
"We are determined to achieve total victory in the war, return all our captives, complete the elimination of Hamas throughout the Gaza Strip, including Rafah, and to ensure Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel," Netanyahu said at the opening of the Weekly Cabinet meeting.
As the war marks its six-month anniversary, Netanyahu claimed the achievements are "significant," adding, "We are a step away from victory, but the toll taken from us is painful and heart-wrenching."
He also said that he made it clear to the international community that there would be no cease-fire in Gaza without the return of the hostages, emphasizing that Hamas is the one obstructing a potential deal.
Meanwhile, the 98th Division, which has been stationed in the southern Gaza Strip in recent months, particularly in the Khan Younis area, has rotated out of the territory, the IDF said earlier on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the 7th Armored Brigade began its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip Saturday night, after engaging in combat in the Palestinian enclave since the start of ground operations at the end of October.
(Itamar Eichner, Yoav Zitun)