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Netanyahu suggested that residents in Rafah could leave and go to the north

By Ingy Ashraf,

In an interview with ABC News’ “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” Netanyahu suggested that residents in Rafah could leave and go north, claiming that the army has cleared “plenty of areas”. He stated that Israel is creating a “detailed plan” to remove them.

However, the offensive has resulted in severe destruction, particularly in northern Gaza, and intense warfare continues in central Gaza and the southern city of Khan Younis. A ground campaign in Rafah might potentially compel the closure of the crossing, cutting off one of the last routes for transporting desperately needed food and medical supplies.

According to AP news, All three officials agreed Egypt’s warnings, but spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to brief press on the sensitive negotiations. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and other countries have warned of serious consequences if Israel enters Rafah.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell posted on X, “An Israeli offensive on Rafah would lead to an unspeakable humanitarian catastrophe and grave tensions with Egypt.”

Israel and Egypt had fought five wars prior to signing the Camp David Accords, a historic peace pact negotiated by then-US President Jimmy Carter in the late 1970s. The treaty has various articles that govern the deployment of forces on both sides of the boundary.

Egypt has extensively militarized its border with Gaza, creating a 5-kilometer (3-mile) buffer zone and building concrete walls above and below ground. It has disputed Israeli charges that Hamas continues to run smuggling tunnels beneath the border, claiming that Egyptian forces have complete control on their side.

However, Egyptian officials fear that if the border is overrun, the military may be unable to stem the flow of people rushing into the Sinai Peninsula.

According to the United Nations, Rafah, which normally houses less than 300,000 people, currently has 1.4 million more who fled conflict elsewhere, making it “severely overcrowded.”

Netanayahu stated that Hamas still has four battalions there. “Those who say that under no circumstances should we enter Rafah are basically saying lose the war, keep Hamas there,” he said in an interview with ABC News.

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