From the Liveblog of
Monday, May 6, 2024
Gallant to US defense chief Austin: Israel has ‘no choice’ over Rafah operation after deadly Hamas barrage
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told his American counterpart, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, in a phone call overnight that Israel was left with no choice but to launch its offensive in southern Gaza’s Rafah.
Gallant updated Austin on the deadly rocket barrage from Rafah on an IDF position on the border, his office says.
The minister detailed “the many efforts that the State of Israel is making to reach an [agreement] for the release of hostages and a temporary ceasefire, and said that at this stage Hamas refuses any proposal that would allow this.”
He told Austin that “there was no choice left and this meant the start of the Israeli operation in Rafah.”
“Gallant thanked the secretary of defense for the close cooperation, and emphasized that the US has an important role in advancing dialogue for the release of the hostages held captive by Hamas,” the ministry adds.
