Netanyahu authorizes plans for operation in Rafah, southern Gaza.
Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, called on world leaders to block the operation to prevent "another massacre and further displacement" of Palestinians.
247 -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “approved the action plans in Rafah,” according to a statement issued this Friday (16) by his office. “The IDF is preparing for the operational side and for the evacuation of the population,” says a section of the statement, according to the CNN.
According to the newspaper The GlobeMahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian National Authority, called on world leaders to block the operation to prevent "another massacre and further displacement" of Palestinians.
The Rafah region in southern Gaza is home to approximately 1,4 million Palestinians, and the international community fears that a large-scale Israeli attack could result in an unprecedented massacre since the beginning of the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian war last October. To date, attacks by Israeli forces have killed more than 31 Palestinians.
According to CNN, the Prime Minister's office also said that "regarding the hostages – Hamas' demands are still ridiculous. An Israeli delegation will leave for Doha after the Security Policy Office discusses Israel's position."
