Rafah

A full-scale Israeli military operation in Rafah would deliver a death blow to aid programmes in Gaza, where humanitarian assistance remains "completely insufficient", the U.N. chief warned Monday.

This was said by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that an absolute victory over Hamas could be achieved a few weeks after the offensive begins.
Netanyahu confirmed to CBS on Sunday that talks on a weeks-long ceasefire and the release of the hostages were ongoing, without giving further details.

The Israeli military has proposed a plan to evacuate civilians from conflict areas in the Gaza Strip, which will be discussed by the government. Alongside evacuation procedures, the plan outlines future military operations and strategies for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Israel's military proposed a plan for evacuating civilians from the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced Monday, after he said a ground invasion of the Palestinian territory's southern city Rafah was necessary for "total victory".

"We do not believe that an operation, a major military operation, should continue in Rafah unless there is a clear and enforceable plan to protect these civilians, to move them to safe places, feed them, train them and house them," the White House adviser Sullivan told national security, reported Reuters.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that he will convene the cabinet early this week to "approve the operational plans for action in Rafah," with domestic pressure on the government to bring the captives home mounting.

Overnight strikes on Gaza killed dozens, the Hamas-run territory's health ministry said Saturday, as Israel's spy chief joined talks in Paris seeking to unblock negotiations on a truce.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has outlined a vision for the future of the Gaza Strip following the conflict with Hamas, marking the first time he has presented such a plan, according to Haaretz.

Israeli airstrikes devastated a mosque in Rafah and caused extensive damage to nearby homes, according to Reuters. The attacks occurred amidst ongoing talks in Cairo, where Hamas leaders are discussing a potential ceasefire to avert further escalation in Gaza's southern city.

Israel launched air strikes Thursday on southern Gaza's Rafah after threatening to send troops into the city, where around 1.4 million Palestinians have sought shelter from around the territory.

Global powers trying to navigate a way to end the Israel-Hamas war have so far come up short, but a U.S. envoy was expected in Israel on Thursday to try to secure a truce deal.