Netanyahu rejects UN appeals and reaffirms that Israel will invade Rafah.
The UN reiterates that a ground offensive in Rafah adds an "additional layer of endless tragedy" for the Palestinians.
247 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office indicated on Friday (9) that the army will expand the offensive in the Rafah area, south of Gaza, despite the United Nations (UN) warning that this action would be “catastrophic” for more than a million Palestinians who have taken refuge there.
Previously, Netanyahu had announced a "combined plan for the evacuation of the population."
Since Israeli forces expanded their operations in southern Gaza, such as in Khan Younis, more than half of Gaza's population, some 1,4 million Palestinians, have fled to the Rafah area, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, told reporters on the ground that same day that there is "growing anxiety and increasing panic" in the city, as Palestinians "have absolutely no idea where to go after Rafah," reports the Iranian channel HispanTV.
"Any large-scale military operation against this population can only lead to an additional layer of the endless tragedy that is already unfolding," he said.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warns that "Rafah is under grave threat" and reiterates the need for an immediate truce in Gaza.
Despite appeals from international organizations, including its biggest ally, the US, Netanyahu insisted earlier this week that the Israeli forces' operation in Rafah would "provide the civilian population with safe passage to secure areas."