Netanyahu Sets Date For Rafah Operation-Spox

Wires reporting coments from a gov't spox claiming that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sat a date for the planned military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The comment comes a short time after the Axios story reporting that the US and Israel are expected to hold a second high-level virtual meeting on the Israeli plans for the city.

• Rafah is the last major conurbation in Gaza that has not seen Israeli soldiers on the ground. Israel argues a ground offensive into Rafah is crucial to dismantle Hamas and its network of tunnels. The US and other Israeli allies have warned against such a move, saying that it risks huge civilian casualties.
• Earlier reports emerged suggesting that Netanyahu had decided against a retaliatory strike against Iran being launched before the end of Passover in late April. It remains to be seen whether the same course of action will be taken with regards to Rafah.