2024-03-14 23:05:00
Israel intends to transfer 1.4 million Gazans displaced from Rafah to “humanitarian enclaves”, according to the Army
Israel intends to move 1.4 million Palestinians displaced from Rafah to “humanitarian enclaves” in Gaza before any assault by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on the last area of Gaza that the army has not yet reached, IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told the press this Wednesday.
The IDF does intend to invade Rafah, he said, calling it “something we have to do.”
But the timing of the assault depends on “the conditions that allow it,” Hagari said.
“What are the conditions? We have to ensure that 1.4 million people will be moved to humanitarian enclaves that we will create with the international community. They will provide them with temporary shelter, food, water and field hospitals,” he added.
There has been intense rhetoric surrounding a possible Israeli invasion of Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city. More than half of the enclave’s population is sheltering there from the Israeli advance that began in the north and moved south in response to Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, which included the taking of more than 250 hostages in Gaza. , in addition to killing regarding 1,200 people in Israel. Israel believes 130 of those hostages are still being held, of whom at least 32 have died.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it is necessary to advance towards Rafah to destroy the remaining Hamas military battalions.
Over the weekend, US President Joe Biden stated that an invasion of Rafah would be a “red line” but also pledged to support Israel.
Israeli War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz said last month that the IDF would advance on Rafah if Hamas did not return the remaining hostages before the start of Ramadan, but the Muslim holy month began on March 10 without any action. invasion. Israeli officials told CNN on Monday that an invasion was not imminent and that the cabinet had not yet approved military plans related to it.
Hagari declined to comment on the timing of any IDF invasion of the city, where the population lives with severe shortages of food, water, medicine and shelter.
“We are strengthening our preparation. I don’t want to talk regarding time. It will be the best time for Israel,” Hagari said.
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