Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that a date has been set for an Israeli invasion of Rafah, Gaza's last refuge for displaced Palestinians. Netanyahu made the statement amidst ongoing ceasefire talks in Cairo, without disclosing the specific date. He stated, "Today I received a detailed report on the talks in Cairo, we are constantly working to achieve our goals, first and foremost the release of all our hostages and achieving a complete victory over Hamas", as quoted by news agency AFP.
“This victory requires entry into Rafah and the elimination of the terrorist battalions there. It will happen - there is a date,” he remarked.
Netanyahu's declaration came as Israeli negotiators engaged in discussions in Cairo regarding international efforts to broker a ceasefire deal with Hamas, the militant group in control of Gaza.
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Scenes of Devastation In Gaza's Khan Younis After Israel's Withdrawal
According to news agency AP, streams of Palestinians returned to the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Monday to salvage what they could from the widespread destruction left by Israel's offensive. The Israeli military had announced the withdrawal of troops from the area the previous day.
Upon returning, residents found Khan Younis unrecognisable, with thousands of buildings destroyed or damaged. Streets had been bulldozed into stretches of dirt, and families searched amidst the rubble and debris for their homes, which were now reduced to gutted shells or partially shattered structures.
The scenes in Khan Younis underscored the extensive damage caused by the ongoing conflict, which has left large parts of Gaza uninhabitable for its 2.3 million residents. The situation also foreshadowed potential devastation in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost town, where half of the region's displaced population is currently located, AP's report mentioned.
According to local health authorities, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 33,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, the report stated. Israeli authorities report that around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, have been killed, with approximately 250 individuals taken hostage in Hamas' attacks.
The withdrawal of Israeli troops from Khan Younis provided displaced Palestinians with an opportunity to assess the damage to their homes and retrieve belongings. However, with the city deemed uninhabitable, many face an uncertain future regarding their ability to return.