Israel plans to direct Rafah civilians to humanitarian zones - IDF
Israel plans to resettle peaceful residents of Rafah to humanitarian zones - IDF (photo: Getty Images)
Israel plans to evacuate the peaceful residents of Rafah to humanitarian zones in the central part of the Gaza Strip, which is home to 1.4 million people, ahead of a planned ground offensive on the city, states Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari.
Hagari said that the humanitarian zones will be created jointly with the international community to accommodate and provide food, water, and other necessary items for the evacuees.
Hagari said that Israel also plans to flood Gaza. US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there is no indication that Israel is seriously planning an invasion of Rafah shortly.
One official stated that Israeli leaders are using the threat of invasion in Rafah partially to pressure Hamas into agreeing to a six-week ceasefire deal that includes the release of the remaining Israeli hostages. Biden administration officials note that not only Netanyahu wants to invade the city in southern Gaza, but also the Israeli government broadly supports the military operation in Rafah.
The US continues to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza through air and sea corridors.
Situation in Gaza
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip.
By the end of October, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had begun a ground operation in the Gaza Strip. The operation is ongoing. The country's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasized that the goal is the destruction of Hamas and the release of hostages.
President of the US Joe Biden announced his readiness to visit Israel and address the Knesset. He reiterated the call for a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to release hostages and deliver humanitarian aid.
On February 8, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the nearing of a complete victory and the readiness of the IDF to begin a ground operation in the city of Rafah near the border with Egypt in the southern Gaza Strip.
Additionally, the President of the US Joe Biden may impose tougher conditions on Israel regarding the provision of new military aid amid the continuation of hostilities in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
