Netanyahu has declared “there is a date” for Israel’s assault on the southern Gaza city, where more than one million displaced Palestinians are sheltering.

Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israel must send ground forces into Rafah, describing it as Hamas’s last stronghold in Gaza. But the international community, including the US, opposes the operation, saying the roughly 1.4 million civilians seeking shelter there would be in danger.

In a video statement, Netanyahu said the Rafah operation is essential for victory.

“It will happen. There is a date,” he said without elaborating.

Al Jazeera's Rory Challands has the latest in the occupied East Jerusalem and Patty Culhane is at the State Department in Washington, DC for US reaction.

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