Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned on Friday he had accepted the navy’s plan for an operation in Rafah, the place most of war-battered Gaza’s inhabitants has sought refuge.

Netanyahu “approved the plans for action in Rafah,” his workplace mentioned in an announcement, with out giving particulars or a timeline.

The assertion mentioned the navy was “prepared for the operational side and for the evacuation of the population”.

Rafah is the final main inhabitants centre but to be subjected to a floor assault throughout Israel’s struggle in opposition to Hamas in Gaza, which was triggered by the militants’ unprecedented assault on southern Israel on October 7.

The assault resulted within the deaths of about 1,160 folks, largely civilians, based on an AFP tally of Israeli figures.

Hamas took about 250 Israeli and international hostages on October 7, and Israel believes about 130 of these stay in Gaza together with 32 presumed useless.

Israel’s retaliatory marketing campaign in opposition to Hamas has killed no less than 31,490 folks, largely ladies and kids, based on the well being ministry within the Hamas-run territory.

US President Joe Biden, who has supported Israel throughout the struggle, has mentioned an Israeli invasion of Rafah could be a “red line” with out credible civilian safety plans in place.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned throughout a go to to Vienna on Friday that Washington had not seen any plans for a Rafah operation, however reiterated that it desires a “clear and implementable plan” to make sure civilians are “out of harm’s way”.

The workplace of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas “expressed deep concern over an imminent Israeli military offensive in Rafah, which could result in a new massacre and further displacement of the Palestinian people in Gaza,” the official Wafa information company reported.

“The presidency underscored the urgency for swift intervention by both the US administration and the international community to avert this military attack, which could add to the already immense suffering of the Palestinian people,” Wafa mentioned.

The German international ministry mentioned “a large-scale offensive in Rafah cannot be justified”.

“Over a million people have sought refuge there and have nowhere to go,” it mentioned on X. “We need a humanitarian ceasefire now, so that the dying ends and the hostages are finally released.”