Israel intends to expand its military operation in the southern city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip to defeat Hamas and to free the hostages the militant organization is still holding, despite US concerns, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Monday. Gallant was speaking during a meeting with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Tel Aviv, according to Israeli radio. Israeli Chief of the Defence Staff Herzi Halevi also attended the meeting. Gallant’s office said he had briefed Sullivan “on developments in the war against the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza, as well as the various eff…