11-2-2024 (GAZA) Israel has vowed to provide “safe passage” for civilians if its military proceeds with long-threatened plans to enter Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday.
Despite international alarm, Netanyahu told ABC news Israel intends to extend operations into Rafah, Gaza’s most densely populated area hosting over 1.2 million people.
“We’re going to do it while providing safe passage for the civilian population so they can leave,” he stated, without elaborating on where displaced residents could go.
Israel argues eliminating militant groups in Rafah is key to victory over Hamas. But the prospect of high casualties risks humanitarian disaster, drawing appeals from world leaders to halt aggression.
Saudi Arabia called for an urgent UN meeting warning of serious repercussions, while the UK urged an immediate ceasefire and aid access. The US sharpened criticism of Israel’s “over the top” strikes across Gaza.
Netanyahu has rebuffed ceasefire and prisoner exchange offers after months of conflict sparked by Hamas’ October attack killing 1160, mostly civilians per Israel.
Over 28,000 Gazans have since died, predominantly women and children, Gaza’s health ministry says. Militants also hold 132 hostages, 29 presumed dead.
Despite the heavy civilian toll, Israel insists uprooting Hamas requires clearing Rafah. Hamas warned an invasion could kill tens of thousands, while Abbas’ office condemned the plan as a violation of red lines.
Overnight strikes killed 94 people across Gaza, including alleged Hamas operatives in Rafah. Israel also accused Hamas of a tunnel under a vacant UN refugee agency compound, further pressuring its embattled Gaza head to resign.
But targeting Rafah’s densely packed population risks massive bloodshed. Netanyahu’s pledge of safe passage provides little comfort given the lack of clarity on where over a million displaced residents could possibly go.
