Netanyahu Orders Military to Develop Dual Plan for Evacuating Civilians from Rafah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he has ordered the military to develop a dual plan for evacuating civilians from Rafah and defeating the remaining Hamas battalions, as international pressure on Israel escalates. Israel launched heavy airstrikes on Rafah today, the last part of the Gaza Strip where residents have sought refuge, despite U.S. President Joe Biden's criticisms of the offensive and warnings from relief organizations about rising Palestinian casualties if the city is entered. International concern is growing over the fate of hundreds of thousands of displaced Gaza residents who have sought refuge in Rafah since Israel threatened a ground invasion of the city located on the border with Egypt.