Israel ignores calls for restraint as it prepares to launch Rafah attack

ISRAEL is ‘moving ahead’ with its planned military operation in Rafah, southern Gaza, despite international calls for restraint.

More than a million Palestinians have sought shelter in the city, and the Red Cross said an assault would have ‘devastating humanitarian consequences’. Satellite images showed rows of tents have been erected outside Rafah, suggesting civilians would be evacuated into encampments.

Israeli spokesman David Mencer said: ‘The four [Hamas] battalions which remain in Rafah cannot be shielded from Israel.’

It comes as Hamas released a video of hostage Hersh GoldbergPolin, held for more than 200 days, in which he condemned Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for leaving the hostages ‘in underground hell’. It was the first time the American-Israeli had been seen alive since he was kidnapped from the Nova festival during Hamas raids on October 7.

He was injured by a grenade and the video, released yesterday, showed that his left hand had been amputated. The 24-year-old said: ‘You should be ashamed of yourselves. You ignore our blood.’ Up to 133 hostages are still being held in Gaza. Israel regards all hostage videos as propaganda.

The UN has also called for a probe into reports of a mass grave found at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Palestinian officials said they had exhumed 283 bodies, and claimed some had their hands tied. Israel denied it was responsible.