‘No safe haven for terrorists’ – Defense Minister Gallant hints Rafah operation may begin soon

Gallant inspects preparations for construction of maritime aid route

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Israel Defense Forces may soon begin the long-awaited ground offensive into the town of Rafah, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant hinted while visiting IDF troops in the western portion of Gaza City on Wednesday.

He commended the soldiers and commanders of the IDF's 162nd Division operating in the northern Strip and affirmed that the terrorists in Gaza would be found and brought to justice.

“I met the troops who are conducting extraordinary work above and below the ground. Our forces reach every location [necessary], and we can conclude that there is no safe haven for terrorists in Gaza.”

“Even those who think we are delayed will soon see that we will reach every location [necessary]. We will bring to justice anyone who was involved in the events [massacre conducted] on October 7th. We will either eliminate them [the terrorists] or bring them to trial in Israel,” Gallant vowed.

“There is no safe haven – not here, not outside of Gaza, not across the Middle East – we will bring them to justice.”

The issue of Israel’s planned operation in Rafah has led to major disagreements between U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reiterated on Tuesday that the operation would go ahead.

Gallant also observed preparations for the U.S. construction of a maritime corridor, intended to help boost the amount of humanitarian aid delivered to the Gaza Strip.

“The humanitarian element that will soon be addressed with the expected arrival of the vessels [carrying aid], is a central issue that will facilitate the delivery of supplies to civilians and not to Hamas,” Gallant said.

“Every action of this kind weakens Hamas and strengthens us, and improves our ability to continue fighting.”

Last Thursday, Biden announced that the U.S. military would construct a temporary floating pier off the coast of Gaza to allow humanitarian aid from the Mediterranean Sea.