Benjamin Netanyahu sets date for Rafah offensive as pressure grows
Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed he has set a date for a military offensive into Rafah, despite concerns that it will lead to even more civilian deaths.
The southern city of Rafah is currently home to more than a million Palestinians who are sheltering there after being forced to flee. Roughly 1.5 million civilians are sheltering in tents and overcrowded camps.
Netanyahu confirmed the plans after calls by far-right government allies to step up military actions against Hamas.
The prime minister’s popularity has plummeted after six months of war.
Netanyahu is being pushed to agree to a hostage-prisoner swap and ceasefire deal by many Israelis and international allies.
🆘 #Rafah in Gaza was supposed to be safe. More than a million people have fled there on Israel's instructions. Now, Israel is planning a full scale military offensive in Rafah too.
— Oxfam (@oxfamgb) February 13, 2024
Nowhere in #Gaza is safe. People are living in tents. Running from bombs. Starving. The world can… pic.twitter.com/MqIM18jhIT
Whilst Netanyahu is facing discontent at home and abroad over how the government is handling this war, he is also facing calls to ramp up operations against Hamas by far-right leaders he needs for political support.
The far-right coalition – also made up of ultranationalist parties, is against making a deal with Hamas and supporting an ongoing war, as well as the incursion into Rafah.
