Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz has reportedly warned that unless all hostages held in Gaza are freed by March 10th, an offensive will be launched in Rafah.

The date coincides with Ramadan – the Islamic holy month of fasting – which is set to begin on March 10th.

Global opposition is growing against such an attack in Rafah, where some 1.5 million Palestinians are sheltering.

But, despite international pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to launch a ground assault on Rafah to eliminate Hamas members there.

BBC News says Gantz claims that Israel would act in a co-ordinated manner, facilitating the evacuation of civilians in dialogue with its American and Egyptian partners to “minimise civilian casualties”.