Israeli Authorities Contemplate Military Action in Rafah, Once a ‘Safe Zone’ for Palestinians
Israeli officials are currently reassessing military plans for an attack on southern Rafah, a city previously designated as a ‘safe zone’ for Palestinians. According to Israeli public broadcaster KAN, ‘political sources’ state that residents of the Gaza Strip will be evacuated from Rafah before any military operations commence.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, declared on Monday that Rafah is the military’s ‘next target’ in Gaza, asserting it as the last remaining stronghold of Hamas. However, human rights groups have raised concerns about a potential Israeli offensive in Rafah, warning of significant casualties in the densely populated area where an estimated 1.4 million people seek shelter.