A senior U.S. government official has expressed concern that the Israeli military is preparing to carry out a ground operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, which could lead to a catastrophe if there is no plan to protect residents, and that they are continuing to hold discussions with the Israeli side. I made it clear.
*We will keep you updated on developments regarding Israel and Palestine as of February 16, Japan time.
Israeli forces are poised to carry out ground operations in Rafah, the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip and home to more than 1.4 million people.
Regarding this, White House National Security Advisor Kirby said at a press conference on the 15th, ``If we don't have a reliable plan to ensure that residents have a safe and secure place and can escape from danger, "A large-scale operation would be a disaster," he said.
He went on to clarify that discussions were continuing, saying, ``We are continuing to have discussions with the Israeli side about what the plan will be.''
Israeli forces storm hospital in southern Khan Yunis
The Israeli military announced on the 15th that it had stormed Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Yunis, where many residents had been evacuated.
Israeli military spokesperson Hagari said, ``We have reliable information that there are bodies of hostages inside Nasser Hospital,'' and justified the operation by saying that Hamas fighters were operating from the hospital. did.
Footage said to have been taken at the scene shows medical workers and others carrying injured people through a hospital where the ceiling was severely damaged and white smoke billowed out.
Middle Eastern satellite television station Al Jazeera reported that the situation was "catastrophic" with patients and others forced to evacuate and many others detained.