Thousands of Israeli Reservists Headed to Gaza as Rafah Invasion ‘Ready to Go’

Israeli army officials say all preparations to enter Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah are completed and the plan hinges on government approval

The Israeli army announced on 24 April that the 679th “Yiftah” Armored Brigade and the 2nd “Carmeli” Infantry Brigade will enter the Gaza Strip in the coming days to take control of the Netzarim military belt and the US-built pier off Gaza's coast.

An Israeli infantry brigade typically consists of 2,000 to 5,000 soldiers.

Israeli media says the deployment of the two brigades will “free up” troops from the 933rd "Nahal" Brigade currently holding the Netzarim corridor, which was built earlier this year over the rubble of homes, schools, and hospitals to split Gaza in two.

The announcement comes as Israeli authorities say all necessary preparations have been completed for the impending assault of Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, where over one million Palestinians are taking shelter.

A senior defense official told Reuters on Wednesday that the army can launch an operation the moment it gets government approval.

“Hamas was hit hard in the northern sector. It was also hit hard in the center of the Strip. And soon it will be hit hard in Rafah, too,” Israeli Brig. Gen. Itzik Cohen said on Tuesday.

“Rafah will not be the Rafah of today … There won’t be munitions there. And there won’t be hostages there,” he added.

Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) cited Egyptian officials as saying that Israel has a plan to evacuate civilians from Rafah over two to three weeks in cooperation with the US, Cairo, and other Arab states, including the UAE.

The officials added that Tel Aviv plans on “gradual deployments of troops” to Rafah, concentrated on specific areas where Hamas leaders are allegedly holed up.

The entire operation is expected to take at least six weeks. Moreover, government sources told Israeli media on Wednesday that the war cabinet plans to meet in the coming two weeks to authorize the civilian evacuations.

🔗SOURCE ➡️ The Cradle

Related: 4/24 — Thousands of tents set up in central Gaza as Israel prepares to enter Rafah

— 🇮🇱/🇪🇬 NEW: Egypt has given Israel the greenlight to enter Rafah, after completing the evacuation of civilians in the next weeks

4/18 — US Backs Israeli Plans for Rafah in Exchange for ‘Soft Response’ to Iran: Report

❗️The New Arab: According to an unnamed Egyptian source and an American diplomat, the US administration has agreed to a limited Israeli attack on Iran in exchange for an operation in Rafah. The Israelis, who claim that four Hamas brigades remain in the southern city, have begun preparations for the operation.

4/8 — Netanyahu Says ‘There Is a Date’ for Rafah Invasion

4/7 — Gallant: Israel Withdrawing From Southern Gaza to Prepare for Rafah Invasion

3/25 — Israel Cancels Rafah Talks in US Following UNSC Abstention

3/19 — Israel's blitz in Rafah expands with ‘no consideration’ for civilian lives: Ramallah

3/19 — Netanyahu Doubles Down On Plans To Invade Rafah In Response To US Objection

3/11 — Netanyahu Will Ignore Biden’s ‘Red Line’ Move Forward Attack Rafah

3/6 — Related: Leaked US Cable Acknowledges ‘Catastrophic’ Cost Of Israel’s Rafah Invasion

2/26 — Netanyahu Says Hostage Deal Will Only Delay Attack on Rafah

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