Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said that the War Administration Council unanimously approved the operation in Rafah last night, noting that the operation is expected to begin within a few days.
The newspaper added that once the evacuation of residents begins, the process is expected to begin within a few days.
She indicated that the process will be a limited measure, and that it allows Israel to return to the negotiating table regarding the prisoner and detainee exchange deal.
Later, Hamas media outlets reported that “the Israeli army launched air strikes on areas in eastern Rafah near neighborhoods that received evacuation orders.”
On Monday, an Israeli radio station said that Israeli forces had begun evacuating Palestinian civilians from the Rafah area before a possible attack on the city in the southern Gaza Strip. The evacuation process may include about 100,000 Palestinians.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation “Kan” said that the Israeli army began evacuating neighborhoods in Rafah and a number of eastern neighborhoods close to the Israeli border.
An Israeli army statement said, “The army calls on residents of eastern Rafah to head toward an expanded humanitarian area,” noting that there is an increase in humanitarian aid entering Gaza.
The statement added that the Israeli army “expanded the humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi to accommodate the increasing levels of aid flowing into Gaza. This expanded humanitarian area includes field hospitals, tents, and increasing amounts of food, water, medicines, and additional supplies.”
