Israel To Move Civilians to ‘Humanitarian Islands’ Before Invasion

The Israeli military announced that it plans to relocate the 1.5 million Palestinians taking refuge in Rafah to “humanitarian islands.” After Tel Aviv said it was planning to attack Rafah, the White House urged Israel to develop a strategy for evacuating civilians first.

Israel’s chief military spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said the Palestinians would be relocated to other areas of Gaza. “We need to make sure that 1.4 million people or at least a significant amount of the 1.4 million will move. Where? To humanitarian islands that we will create with the international community,” he told reporters.

Several top US officials have stated that before attacking, Israel must have a plan for the Palestinian civilians sheltering in Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip. The White House issued similar demands before Tel Aviv commenced on other cities in the Strip, such as Khan Younis.