Israeli leaders have framed an invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah as an imperative to achieve its goal of eliminating Hamas. The planning will likely take Israel’s military some time, Israeli officials and analysts said on Sunday. The Biden administration has also raised concern over fighting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, according two Israeli officials with knowledge of the discussions. Israeli officials say the military is still working on its plans for invading Rafah and that they have not yet been presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “The operation in Rafah will happen,” Avi Dichter, a minister from Mr. Netanyahu’s conservative Likud party, told Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, on Sunday.

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Persons: Gazans, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Avi Dichter, Netanyahu’s, Kan, ” Organizations: Israel, Likud Locations: Gaza, Rafah, Egypt, Mecca