Israel is expected “soon” to begin evacuating civilians from Rafah ahead of a planned ground attack on the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, Israeli public broadcaster Kan TV reported Thursday.
JERUSALEM, April 25 (Xinhua) — Israel is expected “soon” to begin evacuating civilians from Rafah ahead of a planned ground attack on the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, Israeli state broadcaster Kan TV reported Thursday.
According to Kan TV, the planned evacuation will begin “soon” when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives his final approval.
Earlier on Thursday, officials from the country’s war and security ministries met to discuss the possible launch of the assault on Rafah, a city previously considered a “safe zone” against bombing incessant Israeli attacks, where around 1.4 million displaced Palestinians have found refuge.
The ministers also discussed further attempts to advance a ceasefire that would secure the release of more than 100 hostages held in Gaza.
At the end of March, Mr. Netanyahu announced that he approved the attack plans, but the final execution order has not yet been given.
The United Nations has warned that any ground operation in Rafah would have catastrophic consequences for civilians. END■
 Israel to ‘soon’ begin evacuating civilians in Rafah (media) – Xinhua){kind=link}