2024-04-24 08:05:29
Israeli media reported on Wednesday that Israel was preparing to send ground forces to the town of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, which it considers the last stronghold of the Hamas movement, and indicated that preparations were being made to evacuate the displaced Palestinians who are sheltering there.
The popular newspaper “Israel Hayom” cited a decision by the Israeli government, following the failure of ceasefire negotiations with… hustleThe invasion of Rafah, postponed for several weeks due to disagreements with Washington, will take place “very soon”.
Several other Israeli media outlets published similar reports, and some cited images on social media that appeared to show the establishment of a tent camp to accommodate those who would be evacuated from Rafah.
There has been no comment yet from the Prime Minister’s Office. Benjamin NetanyahuNeither does the Israeli army spokesperson’s office.
Rafah, next to the Egyptian border, is populated by more than a million Palestinians who fled other areas of the Gaza Strip during the more than 6-month-old war.
Escalating Israeli threat to invade Rafah doubles fears of displaced people
Their fate arouses concern among Western powers as well as Cairo, which has ruled out authorizing any influx of refugees into Egyptian Sinai.
Israel, under pressure from the growing humanitarian toll resulting from the war, has pledged to take measures to protect civilians in Rafah.
Netanyahu’s government says Rafah has 4 full combat battalions affiliated with Hamas, and says those battalions have received reinforcements from thousands of the movement’s fighters withdrawing from other areas.
Netanyahu government insists victory is near War in Gaza This would be impossible without controlling Rafah, eliminating Hamas and recovering any hostages that may be held there.
The movement has not commented on the presence of combat brigades in the city.
In a speech on Tuesday, coinciding with the 200th day of the war, the spokesman for Hamas’ military wing said: Abou Obeida Israel has reaped only “shame and defeat” from this campaign which, according to Gaza Health Ministry officials, has resulted in the deaths of more than 34,000 Palestinians.
Pentagon: We are still concerned regarding Israel’s plans to invade Rafah
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