'There is a date': Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu escalates his pledge to invade Rafah
The Israeli military said it has withdrawn some of its ground forces from Khan Younis, but a 'significant force' remains in other areas of the Gaza strip, ITV News' John Irvine reports
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has escalated his pledge to invade Rafah, declaring: “It will happen. There is a date".
He spoke as Israeli negotiators were in Cairo discussing international efforts to broker a ceasefire deal with Hamas.
Israel's military said it has withdrawn some of its ground forces from Khan Younis in southern Gaza after months of fighting but a "significant force" remains in other areas of the strip.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Sunday that its 98th division had “concluded its mission” in the area, which has been one of the main targets of Israel's offensive against Hamas.
The move raised questions over Israel's much-touted plan to invade Rafah, the heavily populated area of southern Gaza that has so far escaped on-the-ground fighting.
The division left the Gaza Strip to “recuperate and prepare for future operations" and "significant force led by the 162nd division and the Nahal brigade continues to operate in the Gaza strip," the IDF said.
The organisation claimed it had killed Ali Ahmed Hassin, who the IDF said was the commander of Hezbollah's Radwan Forces in the Hajir region in a post on X on Monday.
It said in a statement that Hassin was responsible for carrying out attacks on northern Israel.
Hezbollah announced his death, but did not give any details about the circumstances or his ranking.
ITV News is unable to independently verify these reports.
Israeli broadcaster Channel 13 TV reported that Israel was preparing to begin evacuating Rafah within one week and the process could take several months.
IDF officials have confirmed that they are "far from stopping" military operations in the Gaza Strip, with General Herzi Halevi saying "we will not leave any Hamas brigades active".
They also added the IDF was shifting from defence to offence on the Israeli border with Lebanon.
The US has said that Israel's partial withdrawal from Khan Younis is likely so its troops can "rest and recover".
But National Security spokesperson John Kirby said on ABC's This Week programme that "the word is they're [Israeli troops] getting tired” after six months of fighting in Gaza.
It comes as UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron warned that Britain's support for Israel is not unconditional, amid continuing concerns over its Gaza campaign.
The IDF said that commando units had raided and searched more than a hundred locations in the Al-Amal neighborhood of Khan Younis.
It claimed that "terrorist infrastructure" had been found in every location searched, including a tunnel about 900 metres long.
The Israeli military said it "eliminated terrorists" during its operation. ITV News cannot independently verify those claims.
Israeli public broadcaster and CNN affiliate Channel 11 reported that the remaining forces would be located along the so-called Netzarim Corridor, a route that splits the Gaza Strip in two.
The corridor intersects one of Gaza's two main north-south roads, Salaheddin Street, to create a strategic, central junction.
Elsewhere, the Foreign Press Association has issued a renewed appeal for international journalists to be allowed into Gaza, saying it is "alarmed" that access has not been granted after more than six months of fighting.
"We call on authorities to grant the international media expanded and unfettered access to Gaza," a statement read.
Israel came under heavy criticism last week after the IDF killed seven aid workers in Gaza by carrying out strikes on vehicles delivering food supplies.
A follow-up investigation and report into the incident described the attacks as "a grave mistake".
The report came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech that Israel is "one step away from victory. But the price we paid is painful and heartbreaking."
Debates about the lawfulness of the conflict continue around the world.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride told Sky News on Monday that Israel is a country that "abides by the rule of law", but added that the UK's support is "not unconditional".
Meanwhile, Commons Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns said in March that the government received legal advice, suggesting Israel is breaking international humanitarian law.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for an immediate humanitarian pause in the fighting that leads "to a long-term sustainable ceasefire" on April 6, speaking at a service commemorating victims of the October 7 attacks.
Downing Street released a statement on Monday saying the government is "completely united" over the conflict in Gaza.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia released a joint statement on Monday calling for Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza and seek out a peaceful solution, in line with resolutions proposed by the United Nations.
More than 33,000 people in Gaza have been killed in the last six months, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the region. Another 75,600 people are thought to be wounded.
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