everything is ready for the Rafah operation –

The Israeli army has massed dozens of tanks and armored vehicles along the border with the southern Gaza Strip, in what appears to be preparations for an invasion of the border town of Rafah. An Associated Press journalist saw the movement of vehicles near the Israeli Kerem Shalom crossing. Tel Aviv said it was preparing a civilian evacuation plan before carrying out any operations. The Defense Forces, however, have informed the government that they are ready. This was reported by the Israeli newspaper «Haaretz». The IDF added that as part of the preparations, the 162 brigade, which has been positioned in the north and center of the Gaza Strip since the start of the ground operation, moved closer to Rafah. Media reported that both the war and security cabinets will meet today to discuss the operation in the southern city of the Palestinian exclave, where around 1.5 million displaced people from other parts of the Strip have gathered.

Hamas, meanwhile, will not accept a truce agreement without a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip. This was stated by Khalil al Hayya, member of the political office of the Palestinian Islamist movement, to the Qatari-owned pan-Arab broadcaster “Al Jazeera”. Hamas has not closed the door on negotiations and is “serious regarding releasing the hostages as part of an agreement that also guarantees the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons,” Al Hayya said. Among the objectives there is also the “unhindered return of displaced Palestinians to their homes in all parts of the Strip, the reconstruction of Gaza and the end of the siege”. The Palestinian group delivered its response to the latest proposal, which included a US amendment, on April 13, and “is still waiting for a response from Israel and the mediators,” Al Hayya continued, adding that “the point What has blocked the negotiations is Israel’s refusal to accept a permanent ceasefire.”