Israel says Rafah assault looms; massive Gaza airstrikes end weeks of relative calm


by Japan Today

Japan Today— Israeli warplanes pounded the northern Gaza strip for a second day on Wednesday in a fierce assault that has shattered weeks of comparative calm, and Israel said it was moving forward with plans for an all-out assault on Rafah in the south. After weeks of reduced fighting following an abrupt

The Independent—Israel-Gaza news: UN says evidence of Gaza mass graves must be preserved as five killed in Rafah strikes. More than half of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million have sought refuge in Rafah

Japan Today—Israel intensifies airstrikes on Gaza's Rafah before ground operation. Israel stepped up airstrikes on Rafah early Thursday after saying it would evacuate civilians from the southern Gazan city and launch an all-out assault despite allies' warnings this could cause mass casualties. Medics in the besieged Palestinian enclave reported five Israeli airstrikes on Rafah early on Thursday that hit at

NPR—Israel will invade Gaza's Rafah 'with or without' a hostage deal, Netanyahu says. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the vow Tuesday amid the negotiations mediated by Egypt that seek to reach a cease-fire deal that could see the release of some or all of the remaining hostages.