Netanyahu sets date for Rafah offensive despite truce talks stalemate

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a date for an invasion of Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip and last refuge for displaced Palestinians. This comes after the withdrawal of the last division of the Israeli Defense Forces from the southern Gaza region on Saturday night. Netanyahu reiterated that victory over Hamas militants "requires entry into Rafah." However, there are conflicting reports regarding a potential truce. Some sources indicate that Israel and Hamas have sent teams to Egypt for ceasefire talks. The US has not been briefed on a date for the invasion and continues to oppose a major Israeli assault on Rafah. According to Israeli tallies, Hamas is responsible for the deaths of 1,200 people in southern Israel following a cross-border attack on October 7 that triggered the conflict. Netanyahu is under pressure from his far-right coalition partners who are opposed to any talk of a truce.