Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered Israeli troops to 'prepare to operate' in Rafah, saying that a "total victory" over Hamas is imminent within the coming months.
Rafah, a city now sheltering more than 1.2 million people, saw an influx of residents after Israel mandated the forced displacement of Palestinians from north Gaza to a designated 'safe zone' in southern Rafah.
According to reports, Israeli forces have killed 130 people and wounded 170 In the past 24 hours.
Reports also state that Israeli air strikes on southern Rafah city have killed 14 civilians, including five children, and wounded dozens of others, thereby taking the Palestinian death toll in Gaza to 27,840 people, with 67,317 wounded in Israeli attacks since October 7th.