What to know about a possible Israeli military offensive in Rafah
RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Some of the more than 1 million Palestinians displaced in Gaza's southern city of Rafah are weighing the risks of whether to stay or flee as concerns grow of a military offensive there that Israel says is necessary for its war aims.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the military's plan for an attack on Rafah last month, but there's still no publicly announced time frame for an assault.
Several recent developments, though, indicate the military may be laying the groundwork for its plans. This week, the military announced it had called up two reserve brigades for duty in Gaza. Satellite images examined by NPR show several new tent encampments, which can hold thousands of people, have been erected this month in areas north of Rafah. There have also been almost daily airstrikes on the city in recent weeks, indicating increased pressure by the military on Rafah.
Israel says an offensive is necessary to eliminate Hamas and free the remaining 133 hostages that killed scores of Palestinians.
