Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that a date had been set for an offensive on the town of Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant believes that Israel is “ at an opportune moment ” to obtain the release of the hostages.

The security cabinet is due to meet on Tuesday evening to take, it is said, “  serious decisions’ The United States forcefully reaffirmed on Monday its opposition to any major Israeli operation in Rafah.