Israeli military forces are prepared to begin an operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip at any moment, Reuters reports, citing a senior Israeli defense official. The IDF command is reportedly waiting for a decision from the government.
The defense official also said Israel's Defence Ministry had bought 40,000 tents, each with the capacity for 10 to 12 people, to house Palestinians whom it intends to evacuate from Rafah in the coming weeks before the start of the military operation.
Earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Egyptian officials informed about Israel's plans, that the relocation of civilians from Rafah to nearby Khan Yunis and other areas is being prepared. Cairo assumes that the operation to evacuate the residents of Rafah will last two to three weeks and will be conducted in coordination with the United States, Egypt, and other Arab countries, such as the United Arab Emirates. The military operations in Rafah are expected to last at least six weeks.
