Israel Intensifies Strikes On Rafah, Hamas Says It “Will Not Achieve” Goals. Top Points

Israel has stepped up its attack on Rafah after vowing to move on with the planned military operation in the southern Gaza city. Hamas, however, said that Israel would fail to meet its goals even if it invaded Rafah.Israel launched more airstrikes on Rafah despite allies’ warnings this could cause mass casualties.Israeli forces also resumed bombarding northern and central areas of the enclave, as well as east of Khan Younis in the south.Hamas said that Israel would fail to meet its stated goal of defeating the Palestinian group by invading Rafah.Even if (Israel) enters and invades Rafah, it will not achieve what it wants,” senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad told the news agency AFP.Hamad said Israel had “spent nearly seven months in Gaza and invaded all areas and destroyed a lot, but so far has not been able to achieve anything of its main goals, whether eliminating Hamas or returning the captives”.