Israel says will fight during Ramadan unless Hamas frees Gaza hostages
- Israel plans to attack Rafah in southern Gaza, where nearly 1.4 million Palestinians shelter
- War cabinet member Benny Gantz warns of fighting during Muslim holy month of Ramadan
Deadly fighting raged on in Gaza on Monday after Israel warned that, unless Hamas frees all hostages, it will push on with its offensive during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, including in the far-southern Rafah area.
Global concern has mounted over the fate of 1.4 million Palestinians who fighting has forced into Rafah near the Egyptian border, where they endure bombardment and dire food shortages in crowded makeshift shelters and tents.
Over the last day, strikes and battles in Gaza killed more than 100 Palestinians, mostly women and children, pushing the death toll past 29,000, said the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, with fighting heaviest in Khan Younis, just north of Rafah.
War cabinet member Benny Gantz warned that the Israeli army is ready to push deeper into Rafah during Ramadan which, based on the lunar calendar, starts around March 10.
“If by Ramadan the hostages are not home, the fighting will continue everywhere to include the Rafah area,” said Gantz Sunday.
He added: “Hamas has a choice. They can surrender, release the hostages, and the civilians of Gaza can celebrate the feast of Ramadan”.