Reports from Israeli media indicate that the Israeli defense ministry is taking steps to prepare for a possible military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. It’s said that the ministry is purchasing 40,000 tents, each capable of sheltering 12 people. This move is seen as a preparation for a potential evacuation of Rafah, where it’s believed that remaining battalions of the Hamas group are located. The news of the tent purchase, although not officially confirmed by the defense ministry, has raised concerns about a possible assault on Rafah.
Rafah is the last major city in Gaza that hasn’t faced a significant ground assault by Israeli forces. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has mentioned plans to invade Rafah multiple times, citing the presence of Hamas battalions and senior commanders in the area. The military estimates that four Hamas battalions are still in Rafah, each consisting of around 1,000 fighters. Prior to any military action, Israel intends to evacuate the civilian population to designated “humanitarian islands” in central Gaza, where essential supplies and medical aid will be provided.
The prospect of an assault on Rafah has sparked criticism from various quarters. Even Israel’s closest ally, the United States, has cautioned against such a move, warning of potential global isolation for Israel. The ongoing campaign in Gaza, triggered by previous attacks by Hamas, has already led to significant devastation and displacement of the population. The ground and air assaults have resulted in a high number of casualties, with the majority being civilians. Calls for a ceasefire have been growing worldwide in response to the escalating violence.
Israel maintains that its goal is to dismantle Hamas’s military and governing structures and secure the release of hostages. Despite claiming to have eliminated thousands of Hamas fighters and disrupting much of the group’s operations, Israeli authorities believe that capturing Rafah is necessary to achieve these objectives. However, the potential consequences of such an operation remain a subject of concern both domestically and internationally.
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