Israel ‘could be forced into last-minute change’ to crucial Rafah invasion plans after Hamas release sick hostage vid

ISRAEL could be forced to change their crucial assault plan on Rafah at the last minute after Hamas released a calculated video of one of the hostages.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) may now be made to focus their attention on rescuing the hostages and put the planned invasion on hold, warn experts.

The invasion of Rafah was originally set to see the IDF blitz their way through the city and squeeze out all Hamas thugs from their hiding spots.

But after Hamas hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polinn was thrown in front of a camera by the terror group the IDF could be forced to hold back on such a bloody assault.

Israel assured the world they will try to reduce civilian casualties in Rafah after thousands have already been killed in the fighting.

The video shows Hersh, a 24-year-old dual US and Israeli citizen, appearing to read off a teleprompter as he begs the Israeli government to make a deal with Hamas.

It was posted by the terrorists as they reportedly look to drum up public outrage over the hostages as people plead for them to come home safely.

Israel believes the video was published to increase public pressure to force a ceasefire agreement.

The IDF say they have repeatedly attempted to strike a fair deal to save the hostages but have had proposals rejected every time.

This has pushed them to go ahead with their planned invasion in Rafah to try and eliminate Hamas entirely.

But Yakov Katz, a senior figure at the Jewish People Policy Institute, feels the terror group has seen the danger they could be in if Israel storms into Rafah.

Leading them to drastically throw together the video to show they still have the hostages alive.

Release of the hostage video is likely an attempt by Hamas to delay the continued operation in Gaza and to get Israel to focus more on the hostages and less on the Rafah offensive

Yakov KatzJewish People Policy Institute

The video is the first of its kind Hamas has publicly released showing a US hostage.

The terrorists have warned before that an attack on Rafah would risk the lives of the hostages they still have.

Katz told The Sun: “Release of the hostage video is likely an attempt by Hamas to delay the continued operation in Gaza and to get Israel to focus more on the hostages and less on the Rafah offensive.”

The top journalist also claimed the “heartbreaking” video has been posted to get worldwide attention onto rescuing those trapped.

The footage has already sent shock waves through Israel, reigniting calls to end the war in Gaza.

A chaotic protest erupted near to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu house in Jerusalem hours after the video was first broadcast.

Demonstrators called for the prime minister to “bring them home” as they banged on drums and made bonfires in the middle of the streets.

Hersh is one of the most well publicised hostages still in the hands of the terror squad as his parents have constantly pleaded with the public to keep their son’s name in the media.

Posters of the young man can be seen plastered across Israeli towns.

In the clip released by his kidnappers, Hersh looked dishevelled, scared and pale as he sat in a dusty red top with marks on his face and his left hand amputated.

There’s 133 people who are still being held in some dark hole in Gaza and it is this government’s responsibility to bring them home

Yakov KatzJewish People Policy Institute

Hersh pleads with Netanyahu to save him and the other hostages saying: “Do you not want to end this nightmare?

“At a time when you are having your Passover meals with your families, think of us hostages under the ground.

“Without water, food or sunlight, or the medical attention I’ve needed for so long.”

The IDF has viewed what Hamas has done with the video as “psychological terror”.

Katz agrees with the public out cry to save the hostages but also sees through the Hamas manipulation.

He spoke about the hostages saying: “They need to be brought home, and I think that yes, on the one hand, Hamas is trying to manipulate and rip out our hearts and get us to pressure.

“But there’s 133 people who are still being held in some dark hole in Gaza and it is this government’s responsibility to bring them home.”

HOSTAGE HORRORS

Hersh’s terrifying injuries are thought to have come after a grenade was launched near him in a heinous Hamas attack.

Older footage shows a man, who many believe to be Hersh, being taken to a white van alongside two other hostages and driven away.

He revealed in the harrowing clip, 70 hostages have been killed so far by bombing in Gaza in the video.

Israel has previously admitted they know of 34 captive civilians who have died but haven’t announced if they were killed in military strikes or as a result of being captured.

It is thought they still have around 100 hostages trapped.

Ceasefire talks have constantly collapsed between Israel and Hamas over how the war should end.

Israel has been constantly campaigning for Hamas militants to return all the hostages snatched as part of a deal.

Experts, however, feel Iran could be influencing its violent proxy army Hamas to exploit the Israeli hostages trapped in Gaza and use them as bargaining chips.

US State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said “Hamas is more interested in a full-scale regional war” than a ceasefire deal.

ISRAELI INVASION

Satellite images earlier this week showed Israel gearing up their troops and military trucks for a potential six-week assault on Rafah.

Troops have been seen stationing themselves around the battered Gaza strip in recent days as an escalation of war looks imminent.

Israel is looking to end the horrific war while keeping civilian casualties low.

Over a million Palestinians are hiding out in Rafah after being ran out of their homes during the six month war.

Up to 800 vehicles can be seen sat across two separate bases in Gaza, according to satellite imagery from Planet Labs.

Around 700 trucks are in the Negev desert in the south as 120 are preparing on the northern border of the Gaza Strip.

The birds eye view of the strip – which shows a blanket of white tents – also reveals how Israel has been using nine cleverly positioned military outposts around the enclave.

Many believe Israel is making moves towards the city as they look to launch a decisive assault in the area where they believe top brass Hamas cowards may be hiding out.

Israel has announced on multiple occasions they plan on storming the city as part of a six-week military operation starting in May.

An exact date is unknown but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the world to expect it soon.

He said last weekend: “In the coming days, we will increase the military and diplomatic pressure on Hamas because it’s the only way to release our hostages and achieve our victory.”

Egyptian officials told the Wall Street Journal that at least the first two weeks will be fully dedicated to getting civilians out.

It is most likely they will be taken to nearby areas such as Khan Younis where there is plenty of shelters and medical personal on hand.

Around 1.4million people took refuge in Rafah when the war began in October 2023 to escape the senseless bombing, kidnappings and ground battles.

Israel will work alongside the US, Egypt and other Arab allies to safely move the residents, say the Egyptian officials.