The United Nations has said an Israeli offensive on Rafah could "lead to a slaughter".
The Biden administration was “pleased to hear the news of two Israeli hostages freed last night by Israeli Defense Forces in Rafah after 128 days” Kirby said.
Gulf media and Western media both focus on the potential operation, showing what is at stake in Rafah.
Taking on the last Hamas stronghold in Gaza can end the war or create the ultimate humanitarian disaster. Perhaps both simultaneously.
Currently, Hamas controls the area along the Egyptian border, and this remains one of the last Hamas strongholds in Gaza.
Until now, the IDF has held off from going after Hamas in Rafah, from cutting off the terror group’s cross-Egypt-Gaza border tunnels.
Until now, limited quantities of aid have been delivered from Egypt through the Rafah crossing, which is ill-equipped to process large numbers of trucks.
Explaining why it took "so long" to get foreign nationals out, the official said Hamas conditioned the release of foreigners on wounded Palestinians being able to exit as well.
At least 320 foreign nationals and dozens of severely injured Gazans were among the first beneficiaries of the Qatari-mediated deal brokered between Egypt, Israel and Hamas.
Israel imposed a total blockade and launched air strikes on Gaza in response to a deadly attack on Israeli soil by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.
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