Israeli Army Approves Military Operation in Rafah

The Hebrew newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" reported this Friday evening that the Israeli army has approved a military operation in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. The newspaper pointed out that preparations for the operation in Rafah began weeks ago, and the army has already approved a plan that includes the necessity of evacuating Palestinian displaced persons. Earlier, Israeli channel "12" revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the operation in Rafah could begin within two weeks. Previously, the Israeli Prime Minister's office indicated that the goals of the war in Gaza could not be achieved while maintaining four Hamas battalions in Rafah. The newspaper noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the Israeli army to "prepare a dual plan for the evacuation of Palestinians and the crushing of Hamas battalions in Rafah."