From the Liveblog of
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Gallant says more troops will be sent to Rafah: ‘This operation will intensify’
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, following an assessment on the Gaza border, near Rafah, says more troops will be deployed to the city in the southern Gaza Strip as the military presses on with an operation against Hamas there.
The visit took place yesterday, Gallant’s office says in a new statement.
“This operation will continue with additional forces that will enter [the area]. Several tunnels in the area have been destroyed by our forces and more tunnels will be destroyed soon,” Gallant says in remarks provided by his office.
Overnight, the IDF deployed the Commando Brigade to Rafah, joining the 162nd Division’s Givati and 401st brigades which have been there since earlier this month.
“This operation will intensify and Hamas is not an organization that can regenerate itself now. It has no reserves, it has no ability to manufacture weapons, it has no supplies, it has no munitions, it has no ability to properly treat terrorists who are injured, and this means that we are wearing it down,” Gallant adds.
The IDF expects the Israeli government to approve widening the offensive in Rafah, as it has done so far in stages.
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