Israeli PM says civilians can leave crowded Rafah before invasion
Palestinian Territories – AFP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Palestinians crammed into the southern Gaza Strip would be able to leave before troops enter Rafah.
His comments, alongside visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, follow international fears over the fate of the roughly 1.5 million people who have sought refuge in Rafah, most of them displaced because of Israel’s attacks.
“Our goal in eliminating the remaining terrorist battalions in Rafah goes hand-in-hand with enabling the civilian population to leave Rafah. It’s not something that we will do while keeping the population locked in place,” Netanyahu said at a press appearance with Scholz.
As others have done, Scholz raised the question:
“How should more than 1.5 million people be protected? Where should they go?”
The United States — which provides Israel with billions of dollars in military assistance — has said it wants a “clear and implementable plan” to ensure civilians are “out of harm’s way”.
Netanyahu has drawn condemnation from the United Nations and defied the United States by rejecting calls for a Palestinian state.
The Israeli prime minister said on Sunday that he would not accept a peace deal that weakens Israel and leaves it unable to defend itself against hostile neighbours.
Netanyahu also reiterated his position that “Israel has to have the necessary security responsibility” in Gaza.
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