The Washington Post reported that Israel has decided to postpone its plans for a major attack on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza and will act in a more limited manner following discussions with the United States on this matter. The report added that "Israeli leaders have reached a consensus on the final assault on the remaining four Hamas brigades in Rafah. Instead of the aggressive attack with two divisions that Israel had considered several weeks ago, government and military leaders are now expecting a limited strike, while U.S. officials believe the new plan will result in fewer civilian casualties, making it unlikely for Washington to oppose it, according to the Times of Israel."
The American newspaper noted that although Hamas will maintain its presence in Gaza, Israeli leaders state that approximately 75% of the movement's military capabilities have been destroyed, and the Rafah operation will eliminate many of the remaining capabilities. The Israeli army believes that some members of Hamas and other armed groups have fled Rafah with the population to the humanitarian area, where there are no Israeli checkpoints. Israel asserts that Hamas leaders and many members of the movement are hiding in Rafah, and an unspecified number of the remaining 124 hostages taken during the previous October attack are being held in the city in the southern part of the territory.
