What's happened
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to proceed with a planned assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, despite international criticism and concerns over civilian casualties. The assault is part of Israel's ongoing military offensive in Gaza, with Netanyahu emphasizing the need to eliminate terrorist battalions in Rafah while enabling the civilian population to leave.
Why it matters
The decision by Netanyahu to move forward with the assault on Rafah has significant implications for the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with concerns raised about potential civilian casualties and the humanitarian situation in the region. The international community has expressed unease over the planned assault, highlighting the delicate balance between military objectives and civilian protection.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel reports Netanyahu's determination to press ahead with the assault on Rafah, emphasizing the military's operational plans. Al Jazeera provides insights into the international pressure faced by Israel over the assault, with concerns raised about potential civilian casualties. Sky News highlights Netanyahu's promise to eliminate terrorist battalions in Rafah while enabling the civilian population to leave, amidst ongoing military operations in Gaza.
How we got here
The decision to assault Rafah comes in the context of Israel's military offensive in Gaza, launched in response to attacks by Hamas. The assault on Rafah is seen as a strategic move to eliminate terrorist strongholds in the region, despite concerns about the impact on civilians and the humanitarian situation.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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