Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given his approval for the country’s military to commence a ground operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that the Israel Defense Forces are actively preparing for the operational aspect and the evacuation of the population in Rafah. This decision comes despite the pressure exerted by U.S. President Joe Biden, who has urged Israel to exercise restraint.
In a recent statement, President Biden expressed his concern about a potential Israeli military operation in Gaza’s southernmost city. He emphasized that such an action would cross a “red line” and urged Israel to prioritize the protection of civilian lives before considering any offensive measures.
Rafah usually has a population of approximately 172,000 individuals. However, due to the ongoing IDF operations in response to the October 2023 attack by Hamas, many people from other parts of the Palestinian enclave have sought refuge in the city. The attack resulted in the tragic loss of over 1,110 lives.
It is believed that there are still individuals who have been kidnapped by the militant group in Gaza. The estimated population of Rafah is approximately 1 million.
Gaza is a place that is inhabited by approximately 2.3 million individuals.
Netanyahu and the Israeli war cabinet rejected the latest cease-fire proposal by Hamas, deeming it “unrealistic.” In a statement on Friday, they expressed their dismissal of the offer.
Israeli military forces struck the largest residential tower in the city of Rafah last week, resulting in significant damage to the 14-story building.
According to the IDF, the Al-Masry Tower was being utilized by Hamas militants. The IDF stated that they had “precisely targeted a military asset.”
During an interview with Axel Springer last week, the Israeli Prime Minister revealed that he enjoys the support of various Arab countries. However, he chose not to disclose their specific identities.
On Saturday, he stated that people comprehend and silently concur with the fact that Hamas is affiliated with the Iranian terror axis.
According to the Palestinian Health Authority, the military operation conducted by Israel in Gaza has resulted in the death of over 31,000 Palestinians and more than 73,300 reported injuries.
