Senior Israeli officials have been threatening a major military operation into the city of Rafah and surrounding areas in southern Gaza for weeks. On Sunday, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant warned it could take place 'imminently' as talks on a ceasefire with Hamas fizzled-out in Cairo. Now, they have taken a major step towards it.
, immediately questioned the operation on X. said an offensive 'would mean more civilian suffering and deaths' and that 'the consequences would be devastating for 1.4 million people'. The vast majority of people living in southern Gaza have already been displaced by the fighting further north. And in what represents a significant juncture, the Israelis are instructing them to return to areas that have already badly damaged in this conflict.