Israeli PM Approves Military Operation Plan In Rafah, IDF Will Evacuate Residents

PM Netanyahu chaired the Israeli War Cabinet meeting. (Source: GPO/Kobi Gideon)

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "approved the planned action in Rafah," his office said in a statement on Friday.

"The IDF is preparing an operational and evacuation side of the population," the Israeli Prime Minister's office said, launching CNN March 15.

The announcement follows an Israeli security cabinet meeting in Tel Aviv. No further details are available at this time.

On the same occasion, the Prime Minister's Office also said, "Regarding the hostages, Hamas' demands are still ridiculous. Israel's delegation will go to Doha after the Security Policy Cabinet discusses Israel's position."

Israel intends to transfer Palestinian refugees from Rafah to "humanitarian pockets" in Gaza, prior to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) attack on the military's unreachable Rafah, IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Danielsuki said Wednesday.

The IDF did intend to attack Rafah, he said, calling it "something we need to do."

However, the timing of the attack depends on "the conditions that allow it," said Laksda fire.

It is estimated that there are 1.4 million people in Rafah in southern Gaza, many of whom have fled from other regions in Gaza several times.