Israel decides to launch a ground offensive in Rafah, Gaza by March.

Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's war cabinet, has issued a warning that if Hamas does not release all hostages held in Gaza by 10 March, an offensive will be launched in the southern city of Rafah. This is the first time that Israel has specified a timeline for the potential entry of troops into Rafah, which is currently housing around 1.5 million Palestinians. There is growing global opposition to an attack in Rafah. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that it was not allowed to assess the situation at Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis, north of Rafah, as the hospital had ceased to function after an Israeli raid. The IDF entered the complex, claiming that intelligence indicated that Hamas hostages were being held there. The IDF has described its operation in Nasser as precise and limited, accusing Hamas of using hospitals for terrorism. Gantz stated that if the hostages are not released by the start of Ramadan on 10 March, the fighting will continue, but assured that Israel would act in a coordinated manner to minimize civilian casualties. The Israeli war cabinet was formed shortly after an attack by Hamas in October, in which gunmen killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages. Israel believes that Hamas is still holding around 130 hostages in Gaza. Gantz's mention of Egypt suggests that Israel expects some Palestinians to seek shelter across the border. Despite international pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to launch a ground assault on Rafah to eliminate Hamas gunmen. Efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have been underway in Cairo, but progress has been slow. Netanyahu stated that negotiators did not return for further discussions because Hamas's demands were unrealistic. Hamas has blamed Israel for the lack of progress in reaching a ceasefire deal.