Palestinians in the southern city of Rafah are facing a “bloodbath” when Israeli forces move in – as nearly one million people await evacuation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last night he had ordered the military to develop a dual plan to evacuate civilians from the city – the last neighbourhood where Gazans have found refuge – and to defeat the remaining Hamas battalions in the city.
The United Nations said Palestinian civilians in Rafah require protection, but there should be no forced mass displacement – which is barred by international law.
The secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council described the area as one “gigantic refugee camp” and warned of a “bloodbath” should the IDF move in on the ground.
Israel is believed to be considering moving civilians back northwards – where many of displaced people had come from.
Hours after the Israeli leader’s statement, at least 11 Palestinians died in an Israeli airstrike on a house in Rafah, according to Hamas media outlets – although this is unverified.
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