Israeli Defense Minister Declares Determination to Achieve All Objectives in Gaza

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has had a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during which he conveyed Israel's determination to achieve all declared objectives in the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. The two sides also discussed the ongoing operation of the Israeli army (IDF) in the city of Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, the Israeli Ministry of Defense's press service reported on Monday.

“Minister Gallant discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip, including IDF operations targeting concentrations of terrorists throughout the enclave, as well as the operation in the Rafah area against remaining Hamas battalions (Palestinian movement - group). Gallant emphasized the readiness of the State of Israel to continue operating to achieve the war's objectives, namely the release of 132 hostages held by Hamas terrorists and the destruction of Hamas as a military and political power,” the statement said.

Gallant also expressed gratitude to Secretary Blinken for the U.S. administration’s unwavering support for Israel's security.

On the night of May 7, the Israeli Defense Forces' ground forces entered Rafah as part of an anti-terror operation, and Israeli tanks established operational control over the area around the Rafah crossing from Gaza. Earlier, the IDF's press service reported on leaflets being dropped, calling on residents of the eastern part of Rafah to evacuate ahead of the planned operation.

On May 10, Kan Radio reported that Israel's narrow military cabinet approved the expansion of the ground operation in Rafah, near the Gaza Strip and the border with Egypt.