Tel Aviv, Israel – The Israeli military has presented a plan to the war cabinet for the evacuation of Gaza’s population from areas of conflict in preparation for an impending offensive on the city of Rafah. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office directed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to develop a plan for the evacuation of civilians from Rafah earlier this month, where over a million people are currently residing.
The “upcoming operational plan” was submitted for approval on Monday, without explicitly mentioning Rafah in the statement. Concerns are rising in Gaza and globally over the IDF’s planned offensive on Rafah, located near the closed border with Egypt. Many displaced Palestinians have sought refuge in the city as the Israeli military advances south through the region, leaving them with limited options to escape.
Israel has been conducting frequent airstrikes on Rafah and is gearing up for a ground offensive. The United States has expressed reluctance to support a campaign on the city without a credible plan to evacuate Palestinians in place. Netanyahu’s office announced the approval of a humanitarian assistance plan for Gaza to prevent looting, particularly in the northern Strip and other areas.
During an interview on CBS’s Face the Nation, Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to addressing the situation in Rafah, emphasizing the need to eliminate the last Hamas stronghold in the area. He outlined plans for both evacuating Palestinian civilians from Gaza and targeting remaining Hamas battalions. Negotiations involving Israel, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar have been ongoing in Paris to reach a potential agreement for a temporary ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan indicated progress in discussions on a possible deal, though Hamas has yet to officially agree to the proposal. As negotiations continue, the exact details of the agreement are still being negotiated. Ultimately, indirect talks with Hamas through Qatar and Egypt will be crucial in reaching a final agreement to resolve the hostage situation and secure a lasting ceasefire.