Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released on Monday that a date has been set for an Israeli invasion of Rafah, Gaza’s last refuge for displaced Palestinians, without disclosing that date as a new round of ceasefire talks take place in Cairo.
The premier has announced his authorization of IDF operational plans for Rafah at least four times over the past two months, but with no offensive anticipated in the immediate future, particularly after the IDF withdrew entirely from Khan Younis, further shrinking its troop presence in Gaza. The IDF had roughly 30,000 troops in Gaza at the peak of the war and was down to several thousand before the latest withdrawal — far less than the presence required to carry out a major ground invasion.
Four Hamas battalions are believed to be stationed in Rafah along with over a million civilians sheltering in the southernmost city after fleeing fighting in other parts of the Strip. It is also thought to be where Hamas leaders are hidden, possibly along with Israeli hostages.
