War intensifies: Israeli army awaits attack order from government
It has been reported that Israeli Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi has approved an attack on the city of Rafah—where approximately 1.5 million people who fled Israel's attacks in Gaza have taken refuge—three times, and is awaiting the green light from the government to launch the offensive.
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The Times of Israel newspaper reported that Halevi briefed ministers on Israel's attacks in the Gaza Strip during a meeting attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
AWAITING GOVERNMENT APPROVAL
A report on Israel's "Channel 13" television also noted that Halevi told ministers he had "given approval three times for an attack on Rafah and that they are ready for the offensive if the government grants permission." A report in Haaretz, citing unnamed sources, stated that the government has not yet set a timeline for an attack on Rafah.
Meanwhile, it was stated that Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Halevi argued during the meeting over security measures at the border, with Gvir advocating that "those approaching the border should be shot."
It was also alleged that the two argued over the obstruction of aid reaching Gazans under Israeli attack, and that Halevi said, "If aid does not pass through Kerem Shalom, it will pass through Rafah without Israeli inspection."
SIGNALS OF AN ATTACK ON RAFAH FROM ISRAEL
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement during his visit to Israeli troops in the Khan Yunis region of the Gaza Strip on February 1 that they would extend their ground operations to the city of Rafah on the Egyptian border.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also signaled in a statement on February 4 that they would launch a ground offensive on the city of Rafah.
A report by Israeli state television KAN on February 6, citing political sources, stated that the city would be evacuated before operations in Rafah began.
A statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office on February 9 noted that Netanyahu had instructed the army and security establishment to prepare a plan for launching an attack on the southern Gaza Strip and for the displacement of approximately 1.5 million Palestinians who had taken refuge there.
THE CITY OF RAFAH
Located on the Egyptian border in the southern Gaza Strip, the city of Rafah is home to nearly half of Gaza's 2.3 million population, following the influx of thousands of people displaced by Israeli attacks.
Israeli forces frequently target the city of Rafah with airstrikes. There is concern that if Israel launches a ground offensive on Rafah, civilians will have nowhere left to take refuge in the Gaza Strip.
In the attacks Israel has carried out on the Gaza Strip since October 7, at least 28,176 Palestinians, including 12,000 children and 8,190 women, have been killed, and 67,784 people have been injured.
While it is reported that there are still thousands of dead under the rubble, civilian infrastructure is also being destroyed by targeting hospitals and educational institutions where people have taken shelter.