The Israeli military has announced plans to relocate a significant portion of the 1.4 million displaced Palestinians in Rafah, a southern town in the Gaza Strip, to designated “humanitarian islands” within the territory ahead of an anticipated offensive, Associated Press reports.
The move aims to safeguard civilians and minimize casualties during the military operation. Over the past months, Rafah’s population has swelled as Palestinians from other parts of Gaza sought refuge amidst ongoing conflicts, leading to makeshift camps across the town. Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari outlined plans for the relocation of Rafah’s residents to humanitarian islands, which would offer temporary shelter, food, water, and essential amenities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has underscored the strategic importance of an offensive in Rafah to achieve Israel’s objective of neutralizing Hamas. The Israeli military aims to dismantle Hamas’s presence in Rafah, where the group reportedly maintains four battalions.
