Israel has threatened to launch an offensive on Rafah next month if hostages are not released by Hamas. 

Benny Gantz, the Israeli war cabinet minister, said the ground offensive in the southernmost city would begin by Ramadan, which is expected to start on March 10, if hostages are not handed over. 

Mr Gantz told a conference of American Jewish leaders: “The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know – if by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue everywhere, including the Rafah area.”

There has been widespread humanitarian concern over Israel’s impending offensive into Rafah. 

There are more than 1.4 million Gazans sheltering in the highly populated southern city. Israel has not announced a plan for where the refugees will be moved to in the event of an invasion. 

It comes as Israel formally opposed international efforts to create a two-state solution.

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