Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the plans for a military operation in the Gazan city of Rafah, his office announced on Friday.
According to the statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is "prepared" for the campaign and evacuation of Palestinian civilians there. Moreover, Netanyahu dismissed Hamas's demands presented in their latest proposal for a new ceasefire as "absurd," insisting the organization requests too many prisoners to be released.
Netanyahu's seal of approval came after the international community, including reportedly the United States, warned Israel against a military operation in Rafah due to the high presence of displaced civilians there.