Israel conducting ‘precise counterterrorism operation’ in eastern Rafah

Israel says it is conducting what it describes as a “precise counterterrorism operation in specific areas of eastern Rafah”.

The IDF said in a statement it was carrying out the operation “eliminate Hamas terrorists and dismantle Hamas terrorist infrastructure within specific areas of eastern Rafah”.

“The troops have started the process of dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and underground shafts,” they claimed. 

IDF troops are also “conducting targeted raids on the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing” in the eastern part of Rafah.

“Throughout the past day, IAF fighter jets and aircraft struck over 100 terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip, including military structures, observation posts, launch posts and additional military infrastructure,” the IDF added.

This is not the big ground invasion of Rafah Israelis have been threatening

What the IDF describes as its “precise” operation in eastern Rafah is “not the big ground invasion of Rafah that the Israelis have been threatening”.

He says the “precise counterterrorism operation” that Israel is reporting is “almost identical to what they briefed us yesterday”.

“It is very much on the eastern edges of the city of Rafah and down near the Rafah crossing so it’s a couple of miles from the city itself,” he says.

“It is not the big ground invasion of Rafah that the Israelis have been threatening and that is why it remains an acceptable course of action, particularly for the White House, who have expressed major concern over the last few weeks over a full-scale ground invasion.”

Bunkall says the Israelis are “doing a small area” to the east of the city, where they have been fighting Hamas and uncovering tunnel shafts.

“As things stand at the moment, the Israelis have not entered the main part of Rafah city, but this is all wrapped around the ongoing negotiations for a new ceasefire,” he says.

“The operation in Rafah is also designed to put pressure on Hamas to try and come to a deal.”