The Israel will continue them its operations against Hamasamong others in the city Rafain the southern part of Gazadespite growing pressure from the international community to stop, the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today.

Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas after its members attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 253, according to Israeli figures. More than 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza during Israel’s subsequent operations, Palestinian health authorities estimate, sparking global condemnation.

“There is international pressure and it is increasing, but especially when the international pressure is increasing, we must become one fist, we must be united against the efforts to stop the war”, underlined the head of the Israeli government.

About 1.5 million people are estimated to be crammed into Rafah, most having fled their homes further north to escape Israel’s military offensive.

In a speech during a military school graduation ceremony, Netanyahu also said Israel must repel any “deliberate attempt” to blame Hamas for its crimes.

He added that Israel would continue operations along Gaza, “including Rafah, the last stronghold of Hamas.”

“Whoever tells us not to operate in Rafah is telling us to lose the war and that will not happen,” Netanyahu stressed.