"Israel's Rafah Offensive: Warnings and Opposition Mount"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that victory is within reach as Israel prepares for a ground assault in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, the last bastion of Hamas terrorist battalions. Netanyahu directed the Israeli Defense Forces to plan for the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people from Rafah, emphasizing the provision of safe passage for civilians. The U.S. has expressed concerns about the potential impact on the civilian population, while aid organizations worry about where civilians would go if Rafah becomes the next target in Israel's war against Hamas. Netanyahu pushed back against calls for Israel not to enter Rafah, stating that doing so is necessary to win the war.