Israeli Military Explains Plans To Evacuate Civilians In Rafah To War Cabinet

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flanked Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (left) and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi. (Source: GPO/Kobi Gideon)

JAKARTA - Israel Defense Forces (IDF) delivered plans to evacuate Palestinian civilians from the combat zone in Rafah City, southern Gaza, as well as plans for operations to be carried out, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

"The army is presenting a war cabinet with plans to evacuate residents from fighting areas in the Gaza Strip, with upcoming operational plans," reads the announcement, reported The Times of Israel on February 26.

In addition, the PMO said the cabinet approved the provision of humanitarian aid to southern Gaza "in a way that would prevent looting from occurring in the north of the Gaza Strip and other regions."

Israel is known to be determined to continue its planned military offensive in Rafah, the last Hamas stronghold in Gaza and also a place of more than half the population of the region, totaling 2.3 million people seeking refuge.

Humanitarian groups warn of major disasters, in which Rafah is the main entry point for aid. Meanwhile, Israel's traditional ally, the United States, warned of a less harm to civilians should be avoided.

Influenced by pressure from Washington, Israeli political and military leaders said the operation would not begin until the safety of non-combatans is guaranteed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself said Israeli military operations in Rafah could be "undelayed" if an agreement for a weeks-long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was reached, as mediators sought to get an outline of the pause in fighting and the release of hostages.