Operation Rafah: Israel plans two-to-three-week evacuation and six-week military offensive

Israel’s planned operation in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, will begin with the evacuation of civilians, which may last five weeks, Israeli radio “Kan” reported on Thursday.

In the first phase of the ground operation, civilians will be moved from the Egyptian border town to safer locations, the radio said.

The US newspaper “Wall Street Journal” reported on Wednesday that the Israeli army is planning a gradual approach to limit the number of casualties among the peaceful population.

The newspaper said Israel was planning a two- to three-week evacuation and a six-week military offensive.

According to popular opinion, Israel intends to relocate Palestinians to tent camps in the southern Gaza Strip, including the Al Mawasi camp on the Mediterranean coast.

Aid organizations warn that it will be difficult to provide aid to large numbers of people in one place.

Israeli radio “Kan” reports that the security cabinet will be informed on Thursday about the preparations for the Rafah operation and what is the status of the negotiations with the group “Hamas” regarding the ceasefire and the release of the hostages.

“Hamas” is also preparing for battles in Rafah, the group supplies fighters with reserves and weapons, according to radio “Kan”.