Israeli captives will likely not survive if Israeli occupation forces (IOF) invade the southernmost city of the Gaza Strip, Rafah, reserve General Israel Ziv told Israeli broadcaster Channel 12. 

"Time has become crucial for the lives of the prisoners," the former commander of the Israeli military's Operations Directorate stated. 

Moreover, Ziv stressed that a possible invasion of Rafah would not be quick and would "last for months," meaning that Israeli captives held by the Palestinian Resistance would be subject to harsher circumstances imposed on them by their own military. 

At least 70 Israeli captives have been killed due to the lack of medication, food, and water in the Gaza Strip or in direct strikes on their positions by Israeli occupation forces. Reportedly a number of the living captives are being held in Rafah. Direct wide-scale attacks on the city, such as that experienced in Khan Younis, the central Gaza Strip, and northern Gaza, will probably lead to similar results: No captives retrieved and dozens killed. 

"It may end without any Israeli prisoners alive," Ziv told Channel 12. 

In this context, the reserve general reiterated his call for a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian Resistance, saying that taking the decision would be a "valid call." Additionally, Ziv stressed that the Israeli government is committing a "strategic mistake," underscoring the negative outcomes of the invasion of Rafah.

Read more: Two IOF troops dead, 8 injured in Resistance operation in Gaza

"The keys (to Rafah) will be handed back to Hamas again, as happened in Khan Younis and the northern Gaza Strip."

Ziv's remarks add to the doubts of his peers regarding the effectiveness of invading Rafah.

The former head of the Israeli Intelligence Agency Mossad, Yossi Cohen, emphasized that "ideal statements do not always reflect the operational or strategic reality (of the Israeli military)."

Cohen ruled out the possibility of forcibly replacing Hamas' authority in Gaza.

Not only will the invasion endanger the lives of Israeli captives, but Israeli soldiers are also refusing service in Rafah due to their continued deployment since October 7, 2023.

A total of 30 servicemembers refused to comply with orders to ready the army for a ground invasion of the city of Rafah. Channel 12 cited fatigue as the primary reason for the refusal.

Read more: Israeli troops refusing to follow commands for Rafah ground invasion