Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press reveal the construction of a new compound of tents near Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military appears to be signaling plans for an offensive targeting the city of Rafah.
The tent construction near Khan Younis comes as Israel has conducted repeated military operations in the area in recent weeks. Israel has announced intentions to evacuate civilians from Rafah in anticipation of an offensive on the southern city, where hundreds of thousands of people have sought refuge during the ongoing seven-month war.
The tent compound, visible in images from Planet Labs PBC analyzed by the AP, began construction on April 16 just west of Khan Younis. Subsequent images taken on Sunday show significant growth in the tent compound.
Reports from the Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz suggest that Egypt may be involved in constructing the tent compound in preparation for a potential offensive in Rafah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of 'additional painful blows' against Hamas following the breakdown of talks aimed at freeing remaining hostages in Gaza.
While the Israeli military did not comment on the tent construction, Netanyahu's threats have raised concerns about a possible attack on Rafah, where half of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have sought refuge amid the conflict. The U.S., a key ally of Israel, has emphasized the need to protect civilians in any military operation.
Netanyahu has indicated plans to evacuate civilians from Rafah ahead of the offensive, although logistical details about their relocation remain unclear.
Latest Developments
An apparent Israeli airstrike on a car in southern Lebanon resulted in at least one fatality on Tuesday, according to officials. The strike occurred in the Adloun area, situated between the cities of Sidon and Tyre, approximately 40 kilometers north of the Israeli border. The identity of the victim remains unknown.
Hezbollah and allied groups in Lebanon have been engaged in clashes with Israeli forces for over six months amid Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli military has not commented on the recent strike, but Israel has previously conducted targeted killings of Hezbollah and Hamas members in Lebanon.
