Palestinians brace for Rafah evacuation, Israeli assault plan

Israeli forces have been ordered to develop a plan to evacuate the population and destroy four Hamas battalions in Rafah, according to an announcement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. However, Washington, Israel’s main supporter, has stated that it will not support an assault that does not protect civilians. Over one million Palestinians in and around Rafah are preparing for an Israeli ground assault, and aid agencies have warned that a large number of civilians could die. The United Nations refugee agency has expressed concern about working in such a high-risk operation.