Israel Vows Unyielding Response to Threats from Hamas and Hezbollah Despite International Pressure

In response to increasing international pressure, particularly from the Biden administration, to cease hostilities in Rafah, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant made a bold statement to both allies and adversaries. During a ceremony honoring fallen soldiers, Gallant asserted, “The State of Israel cannot be subdued,” and pledged to “achieve our goals – we will hit Hamas, we will hit Hezbollah, and we will achieve security.” This declaration came shortly after US President Joe Biden threatened to halt weapon deliveries to Israel if they entered Rafah, which currently shelters over a million displaced Palestinians. Although Israeli tanks have already taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to issue orders for troops to enter the nearby city of Rafah, where Hamas allegedly maintains four battalions. The exchange of fire with Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in the north has persisted since the conflict started in Gaza last October. (Source: Reuters)