The war in Gaza has entered a more consequential and unforgiving phase. Early this morning, Palestinian sources reported that Israeli tanks had begun advancing into central Rafah, following a night of intense airstrikes across the southern Gaza Strip. This military escalation came after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced the expansion of Operation ‘Oz veCherev’ (‘Strength and Sword’), aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure, neutralising Hamas operatives, and securing areas of Gaza to be integrated into Israel’s defensive perimeter.
The underlying reality remains: no state can allow a terrorist group to operate with impunity from its borders while holding its civilians hostage
The campaign, described by Israeli officials as an effort to ‘crush and clear’ Rafah of terrorists, is unfolding alongside widespread evacuations of the civilian population. Though controversial in some quarters, the underlying reality remains: no state can allow a terrorist group to operate with impunity from its borders while holding its civilians hostage – nor should the world expect it to.
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