Israeli PM Netanyahu gives green light to Rafah military ground operation

Source: United Press International

WORLD NEWS MARCH 15, 2024 / 2:27 PM

Israeli PM Netanyahu gives green light to Rafah military ground operation

By Simon Druker

March 15 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved plans for the country's military to begin conducting a ground operation in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.

Netanyahu confirmed Friday that Israel Defense Forces currently are "preparing for the operational side and for the evacuation of the population," in Rafah, despite pressure from U.S. President Joe Biden to use restraint.

Biden earlier in the week warned an Israeli military operation in Gaza's southernmost city would constitute a "red line." He cautioned Israel to prioritize protecting civilian life ahead of any offensive.

Rafah typically has a population of about 172,000 people, but people from other parts of the Palestinian enclave have fled to the city as the IDF sweeps across the territory in response to the October 2023 attack by Hamas, killing more than 1,110.

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Read more: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2024/03/15/netanyahu-approves-gaza-rafah-military-attack/3741710525142/