In a significant development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced preparations for a major military operation in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. According to reports from The Times of Israel, the operation aims to target Hamas battalions and is potentially accompanied by plans to evacuate over a million civilians from the area.
Netanyahu’s statement comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with Israel seeking to root out remaining Hamas militants in Rafah, which is considered a stronghold for the terror group. In an excerpt from an interview with ABC, Netanyahu criticized calls to avoid entering Rafah, asserting that such sentiments effectively advocate for failure in the conflict against Hamas.
“We’re going to get the remaining Hamas terrorist battalions in Rafah, which is the last bastion,” Netanyahu stated in the ABC interview, emphasizing Israel’s determination to confront the threat posed by Hamas.
The situation in Rafah has intensified as the city has become a refuge for nearly one million displaced Palestinians, forced southward by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The war, which commenced with a devastating attack in southern Israel on October 7, has led to a mass displacement crisis, with Gaza’s infrastructure and civilian population bearing the brunt of the violence.
“We’re going to get the remaining Hamas terrorist battalions in Rafah, which is the last bastion,”
In a related development, approximately 40 protesters were removed from the Kerem Shalom Crossing after attempting to block the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The protesters, who had set up tents at the crossing, were reportedly trying to prevent aid from reaching Gaza amid the escalating hostilities.
