Israeli media: The plan to invade Rafah is complete, without an agreement it will begin in three days

Israeli army chief Herci Halevi on Monday approved final plans for a military operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, along with the establishment of refugee camps in its central part. This was reported by The Times of Israel on Tuesday, referring to a report by the Ynet news website. She says that if an agreement is not reached with the Palestinian movement Hamas within 48 to 72 hours to release the hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, the operation will be launched.

Ynet wrote, without citing a source, that Israeli tanks are lined up on the border between Israel and Gaza near Rafah and are only waiting for the order to launch the problematic ground offensive. The Israeli government considers this the last necessary step to eradicate the fighting forces of Hamas from the Gaza Strip, which is one of Israel’s main war goals.

Meanwhile, the international community, led by the United States, is warning of a humanitarian disaster and the threat of high losses among the civilian population. More than a million refugees are hiding in Rafah from the fighting in areas further north. According to Ynet, Israel has detailed battle plans that include an invasion in several phases. It may, however, be stopped or postponed at any time depending on progress in negotiations with Hamas on the release of the hostages.

Hamas representatives left mediated talks in Cairo on Monday night and will return with a written response to Israel’s latest proposal. According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, this is extremely generous and, in his opinion, Hamas should quickly accept it.

Israel is waging a war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip because of the terrorist attack on October 7 last year. According to the Israeli authorities, the strike by the Palestinian movement claimed 1,200 lives, and another 253 people were kidnapped by Hamas. In the only ceasefire so far, at the end of November, more than a hundred hostages were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Israel’s massive bombardment of the Gaza Strip and subsequent ground operation has claimed nearly 34,500 Palestinian lives since October, according to Hamas-controlled authorities.