Israel Approves Rafah ‘Evacuation’ Ahead of Ground Operation

Israel is preparing to move the civilian population of Rafah in Gaza ahead of a planned ground operation into the Palestinian enclave، according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

The premier “approved the operation plans” following a war cabinet meeting where a cease-fire deal submitted by Palestinian militant group Hamas was discussed، according to a statement.

Israel Defense Forces are “preparing for the operational aspects and for the evacuation of the population،” it said، without indicating a time frame.

The move is likely to increase tensions between Israel and the US. President Joe Biden said last week that an invasion of Rafah would represent a “red line.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer، the US’s highest-ranking Jewish elected official، on Thursday called for Israeli elections and the replacement of Netanyahu. 

An Israeli delegation will travel to Qatar — a mediator in US-backed cease-fire talks with Hamas، whose preconditions to release Israeli hostages are “still unfounded،” the statement from Netanyahu’s office said.

Over 1.5 million people are sheltering in the southern city of Rafah near the Egyptian border، according to the UN، equivalent to three quarters of Gaza’s pre-war population. Many are living on the streets in makeshift tents.

The US and other allies had urged Israel to abandon the operation to allow for a cease-fire and humanitarian aid، but Israeli officials think Hamas’ leadership is there، as well as the hostages taken during the group’s Oct. 7 assault in which 1،200 people died. Hamas is designated a terrorist group by the US and the European Union.

Israel’s retaliatory air and ground attacks in Gaza have killed over 31،000 people، according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.