Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi (pictured) approved “continuation of the war” plans with Southern Command Chief Major General Yaron Finkelman on Sunday, the military shared in the statement. The meeting was also attended by all division and brigade commanders, the IDF added. Halevi’s greenlight on battle plans comes amid the growing concern that the Israeli military could launch an operation into Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, where an estimated 1.5 million Palestinians are seeking refuge. Namely, Hamas is expected to respond to the latest proposal regarding the release of hostages from the Gaza Strip.
Abbas: Israel may launch Rafah operation ‘in coming days’
Palestinian National Authority (PNA) President Mahmoud Abbas said on Sunday that the Israeli Defense Forces are expected to launch a ground invasion on Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah “in the coming days.” Speaking at the conference in Riyadh, Abbas called on the United States to prevent Israel from committing the “greatest disaster in the history of the Palestinian people” and stressed that Washington is the only country “capable” of stopping “this crime.” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz previously stated that plans for the military ground operation in Rafah could be scrapped were the two warring parties to agree on the exchange of hostages.