Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the military to prepare for the evacuation of Rafah’s population, signaling a significant escalation in the ongoing Gaza conflict. The directive comes as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) gear up for a potential ground assault on the southern Gaza city, described by Netanyahu as Hamas’s last stronghold. With over 1.3 million people believed to be in Rafah, many displaced from other parts of Gaza, the proposed evacuation raises concerns about the humanitarian situation in the densely populated area.
Palestinians have sought refuge in Rafah as the IDF’s campaign progresses south through Gaza, but with the city bordering Egypt to the south and the border closed for months, options for displacement are limited. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stressed the necessity of both eliminating Hamas and ensuring the safety of civilians, leading to the directive for a dual plan encompassing population evacuation and battalion disbandment. Rafah stands as the last major population center in Gaza not occupied by the IDF, heightening the significance of potential military action in the area.
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Despite the urgency, concerns over civilian casualties loom large, with the top IDF commander in charge of the operation admitting to the absence of a concrete plan to minimize such losses.
International reactions to Netanyahu’s directive have been mixed, with the United States State Department cautioning against an unplanned military operation in Rafah, citing the potential humanitarian disaster it could entail. As tensions escalate and the situation in Gaza remains precarious, the world watches closely, awaiting further developments in this unfolding crisis.
