Palestinians to be directed to ‘safe islands’ ahead of Rafah offensive – Israel

Israel’s invasion of Gaza has killed more than 31,000, according to Gaza health officials, left much of the enclave in ruins

Palestinians queuing for food in Rafah (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

The Israeli military said on Wednesday that it plans to direct a significant portion of the 1.4 million displaced Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip’s southernmost town of Rafah toward “humanitarian islands” in the centre of the territory ahead of its planned offensive in the area.

The fate of the people in Rafah has been a major area of concern of Israel’s allies – including the United States – and humanitarian groups, worried an offensive in the region densely crowded with so many displaced people would be a catastrophe.