The Israeli army says it is preparing an offensive in Rafah. The army has now presented a plan for the evacuation of civilians from combat areas. But the government did not provide any details.
The Israeli military has presented its further operational plans to the war cabinet before the planned offensive in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip. The prime minister’s office announced that the military had presented the cabinet with “a plan for the evacuation of the population from the combat zones in the Gaza Strip and the upcoming operational plan.”
Also humanitarian aid plan
A plan to provide humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip “to prevent looting in the northern strip and other areas” was also approved, it said. No details were given in the short statement.
Rafah, where 1.5 million Palestinians are sheltering from the fighting in other parts of the sealed-off coastal area in a confined space and under miserable conditions, was also not specifically mentioned in the statement.
Evacuation of the civilian population
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to quickly launch plans for a military offensive in Rafah despite the ongoing ceasefire negotiations. He announced at the weekend that he would convene the cabinet at the beginning of the week to have the operational plan approved. The plan will also include the evacuation of the civilian population. The working week in Israel began on Sunday.
Criticism of the planned offensive
The planned offensive on the city of Rafah, which is overcrowded with refugees, has been heavily criticized internationally. Even allies like the USA are calling on Israel to show restraint. However, Netanyahu is determined to launch an offensive in Rafah. The head of government repeatedly emphasized that it would be impossible to achieve his war goal of eliminating Hamas if four Hamas battalions remained in Rafah.
In the TV program “Face the Nation” on the US television network CBS, Netanyahu predicted a victory over the Islamist Hamas within weeks, as soon as the announced military offensive on Rafah in the south of the coastal region began. Victory is within reach. If an agreement on a ceasefire is initially reached, “it will be delayed somewhat,” said the head of government.