Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant recently spoke with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, emphasizing the importance of operating in Rafah. Gallant shared that there is concrete information indicating hostages being held in Rafah and claimed the identification of 20 terror tunnels in the area. This information was relayed during Gallant's conversation with Austin, as per a statement from the Israeli Defense Minister’s Communications Office.
Gallant also briefed the Secretary of Defense on the ongoing developments in the war against the Hamas terrorist organization and the efforts being made to secure the return of 125 hostages held in Gaza.
It is worth noting that President Joe Biden had previously cautioned that the US would halt the supply of American weapons to Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a major invasion of Rafah. However, the Biden administration has not taken any action on this promise yet, citing that the recent strikes, which resulted in the deaths of at least 45 individuals, including many children sheltering in tents, have not crossed the established red line.
The Israeli strikes in Rafah have sparked global condemnation, with Germany expressing distress over the images of charred bodies, particularly children, resulting from the airstrikes. French President Emmanuel Macron also voiced his outrage at the strikes, and various UN leaders have criticized Israel for the attack.
