In an interview broadcast by ABC News on February 11, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would advance towards Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, and promised to provide civilians with a "safe passage" out of Rafah.
According to Al Jazeera, Rafah is a designated "safe zone" in the southernmost part of Gaza, with more than 1.4 million Palestinians gathered in 64 square kilometres near the border with Egypt in dire conditions.
Regarding Israel's plan to attack Rafah, Hamas warned that the move could cause "tens of thousands of people" in Rafah**EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell believes that the attack on Rafah "will lead to an unspeakable humanitarian catastrophe."
Even Israel's main supporter, the United States, has stated that it does not support Israel's ground offensive in Rafah, warning that such an action could bring "disaster" if not planned properly.
However, on the show, Netanyahu insisted: "Those who say we shouldn't go into Rafah under any circumstances are basically saying, 'Lose this war.'" Let Hamas stay there. ’”
Asked where the Palestinians should go, Netanyahu said Israel was "working out a detailed plan."
Netanyahu said, "We are not casual in this matter. Netanyahu said part of Israel's war effort is to keep civilians out of harm's way. Hamas, on the other hand, is trying to put civilians at risk.
According to the Palestinian News Agency, in response to Netanyahu's above remarks, Palestinian government spokesman Rudena issued a statement on the 12th, arguing that Netanyahu's statement about establishing a "safe passage" for civilians is purely meaningless (pure nonsense) and a deception of the world, because there is no longer a safe place in the Gaza Strip, and in view of the continuous bombardment of the central and northern Gaza Strip, civilians cannot return. The Palestinians will not allow a new "nakba" to recur and people will not be forced to leave Gaza and be displaced.
Rudeina stressed that the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people must cease immediately and that the daily suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip must stop.
He called on the international community, especially the United States**, to take urgent action to compel the Israeli authorities to stop this madness before it is too late. The Israeli side's overland advance towards Rafah City should be stopped, as it would mean thousands of casualties.
According to the Gaza health ministry, Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed 28,340 Palestinians and injured 67,984 since October 7.
Al Jazeera said Israeli attacks in Gaza killed 164 people and injured 200 in the past 24 hours.
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