Gaza war: Israel ‘encourages’ Rafah residents to go to humanitarian areas

Is this a sign that the much-feared offensive will begin? On Monday morning, the Israeli army “encouraged” residents of the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip where more than a million refugees have accumulated, to go to humanitarian areas.

“The Israeli army will continue to work to achieve the goals of the war, including the elimination of Hamas and the return of all those abducted,” it said in a statement, as truce discussions became tense again this weekend.

To achieve “final victory,” Benjamin Netanyahu continues to say he will launch a ground offensive on Rafah, where Israel says four Hamas battalions are grouped, despite pressure from capitals and non-governmental organizations fearing the consequences of such an operation.

In addition to the population concentration, Rafah is also a major land crossing for humanitarian aid, strictly controlled by Israel, which is besieging the area. The UN warned the offensive would be a “massive blow” to humanitarian operations.

>> More information to come laterTruce talks became tense again this weekend