GNITN - Special Edition

Israel At War – Day 223

Rafah Mission Is “Critical”

PM To Meet With Gallant

After Defense Minister Yoav Gallant set Israel politics on fire yesterday when he said he wouldn’t enforce any IDF involvement in post war Gaza, many conservative member of Israel’s government called for firing him. As we read in a report from The Time Of Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu wants to talk it over with him instead:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking to reporters in southern Israel near the Gaza border, says he’s going to speak face-to-face soon with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, after Gallant yesterday demanded that he publicly rule out post-Hamas Israeli military or civil governance of Gaza, and suggested that “Palestinian entities” and other “international actors” should govern the Strip.

Netanyahu demurred when asked if he still has faith in Gallant:

Asked if he still trusts Gallant and whether the two can work together, Netanyahu replies: “If you’re talking about what the defense minister said yesterday, then what I have to say to him I’ll first say one-on-one, and not here.”

Asked if that meeting will come soon, he says, “Absolutely.”

As I mentioned yesterday, the two have had a tumultuous relationship recently:

Netanyahu fired Gallant 14 months ago for warning about the divides in Israel caused by the coalition’s judicial overhaul plans, before rehiring him amid a public outcry. Some coalition members, notably far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, have called on Netanyahu to fire Gallant again now.

The PM was asked about who would be involved in Gaza after the war ends:

A reporter says that what Gallant is essentially advocating is bringing the Palestinian Authority back to Gaza, to which Netanyahu replies: “I firmly oppose switching Hamastan for Fatahstan” — referring to PA President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah party.

He repeats his frequent summation that the PA “funds terrorism, supports terrorism, educates for terrorism,” and says it is “running a global campaign against us — at the World Court in The Hague and at all the institutions of the UN that are coming to choke us.”

Netanyahu emphatically stated that the PA isn’t getting any role:

Letting the PA back into Gaza “after what happened here” would be “a prize for terror,” he says. “They were in Gaza — there, over that dune. And what happened? Hamas booted them out and took over.” What happened in 2007 would happen again, he warns.

“We’re not making that mistake again…. If somebody wants to bring in the PA, they should say so clearly.”

Referring to Gallant’s allegation that he refuses to make decisions on post-Hamas Gaza, Netanyahu says, of bringing the PA into Gaza, “That’s a decision I refuse to make.”

When asked about him not taking responsibility for the attack on October 7th, he said there was more than enough blame to go around and there will be a time to sort all that out later.

Rafah Offensive Is “Critical”

After giving Netanyahu an airborne tour of Rafah, he stated how important the operation was as we see in an article from i24news.tv:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the strategic importance of the ongoing battle in Rafah during an aerial tour of the Gaza Strip, accompanied by Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Amir Baram and Commander of the 162nd Division, Brigadier General Itzik Cohen.

"The battle in Rafah is critical. It is a battle that decides many things in this campaign," Netanyahu said, following an aerial review of the operational activities in Rafah led by the 162nd Division.

The article gave more details on the tour:

During the tour, Netanyahu and the Deputy Chief of Staff visited the 55th Artillery Battalion at the Bnei Netzer base. Lt. Col. Mor Gurvitz of the 55th Brigade provided an operational review, detailing the battalion's activities since the war began and their recent operations in Rafah.

Addressing the battalion's commanders and soldiers, Netanyahu acknowledged the sacrifices made and the vital role they play in the campaign:

The PM thanked the troops as well:

"We are here on a difficult day, a day when we learn of five of our fighters who have fallen. This will not weaken our fighting spirit. You are the generation of victory. You fight in a wonderful way, with sacrifice and with great continuity for many months. The people of Israel are proud of you, I am proud of you. We continue until victory."

He then went back to his initial assessment of winning in Rafah:

Netanyahu highlighted the critical nature of the Rafah battle, describing it as a pivotal point in the campaign against enemy forces:

"The battle in Rafah is critical. It's not just the rest of their battalions, it's also their oxygen pipes back for escape and resupply. This battle, of which you are an integral part, is a battle that decides many things in this campaign.

Netanyahu thanked the troops for their part in ending the war:

He expressed his gratitude and pride in the soldiers' efforts, acknowledging the hardships they endure:

"I repeat: we are in a critical battle now. Your action helps end it. Its completion advances us a huge distance to defeating the enemy. I just want to congratulate you and thank you on behalf of the citizens of Israel and the people of Israel for what you are doing. I know you eat a lot of dust, but you are doing a great thing. Thank you!"

Weeks, Not Months

In an interview, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that the Rafah offensive won’t take long as we are told in a report from i24news.tv:

In an interview with CNBC, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu provided insights into Israel's ongoing operation in Rafah, emphasizing that the mission would be brief but necessary.

Netanyahu stated, "Yes, we do have a disagreement on Gaza. Rather, on Rafah. But we have to do what we have to do."

He further asserted, "you just have to do what is required to ensure your survival and your future. We cannot continue into the future by having Hamas retake Gaza."

He knows there is opposition to going into Rafah:

Acknowledging the differences between the U.S. and Israeli governments regarding the Rafah offensive, Netanyahu reiterated Israel's commitment to proceed with the operation despite American opposition. He emphasized that the primary objective is to "clean Gaza of Hamas" to ensure long-term security for Israel.

How long will the offensive last? The PM tell us:

Netanyahu indicated that the operation would be limited in duration, stating, "Israel's operation to dismantle the last four Hamas battalions in Rafah will last 'a matter of weeks, not months, not years.'"

Netanyahu would still like to work with America if possible:

He expressed hope for alignment with the United States, emphasizing ongoing dialogue between the two nations. However, he underscored Israel's determination to prioritize its national security interests.

The Prime Minister's remarks come amidst heightened tensions in the region and U.S. opposition to a large-scale operation in Rafah. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently reiterated the Biden Administration's stance against such a military endeavor.

The concerns are much the same from the US with Biden using the tired canard of keeping civilians safe, something Israel has been doing from the start:

The U.S. has emphasized its commitment to Israel's security while urging for a cautious approach to avoid civilian casualties and escalate tensions further.

Last week, President Biden warned of halting American weapons shipments to Israel should a major ground invasion of Rafah occur. While reaffirming support for Israel's defensive capabilities, including the Iron Dome system, Biden emphasized the importance of minimizing civilian casualties.

Interestingly enough, the United States didn’t follow its own advice when leaving Afghanistan, a point no one seems to bring up in the mainstream media. In any event, continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem as we read in Psalm 122:6:

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. (KJV)

In an interview from BillyGraham.org we read this from Pastor Gary Hamrick:

“We pray for He who watches over Israel, the Lord, who never slumbers nor sleeps, to continue to give peace and comfort to those who are there,” Pastor Hamrick said. “There’s been hundreds of families now that have lost loved ones, and we need to remember them and pray for their comfort as well.”

I say amen to that!