Israeli media have quoted Israeli military sources as saying that the army is prepared to invade Rafah in southern Gaza in a matter of 72 hours if no deal on a ceasefire is reached. Egypt is hosting extensive negotiations with delegations from Israel and Hamas aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Gaza. The Israeli Ynet news website reported that the Israeli army’s Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi approved the final plans for a military offensive in Rafah along with a plan for moving civilians toward areas in central Gaza.
