Israel builds enormous tent city and 'prepares to evacuate a million ... trends now
New satellite images appear to show Israel building an enormous tent city as it prepares to evacuate the more than one million Palestinians who have sought refuge in Rafah, the last standing city in the Gaza Strip.
Photos from satellite imaging company Planet Labs show a marked build up of tents in a uniform pattern near Khan Younis, which has largely been levelled during the bloody invasion of the Gaza Strip by Israel's military.
The photos, taken three days apart on April 18 and April 21 respectively, show white structures being built up significantly over a short period of time.
Israel has said several times that it plans to evacuate displaced civilians from Rafah ahead of a six-week military operation that will likely begin in May.
Egyptian officials told the Wall Street Journal that the first few weeks will be dedicated to evacuating refugees to Khan Younis and other areas equipped with shelters and medical facilities.
The preparations come as the US says that Hamas is gearing up for a 'full-scale regional war.'
The photos, taken three days apart on April 18 and April 21 respectively, show white structures being built up significantly over a short period of time
Israel has said several times that it plans to evacuate displaced civilians from Rafah ahead of a six-week military operation that will likely begin in May
Smoke rises following Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas
The conflict has sparked regional unrest pitting Israel and the US against Iran and allied militant groups across the Middle East
State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said that Hamas was 'moving the goalposts' in hostage and ceasefire negotiations, adding that the terror group declined a 'very significant proposal', though did not specify what this was.
He said: 'It certainly does seem like Hamas is more interested in a full-scale regional war.
'It takes two to make an agreement, and right now Hamas has signalled that they don't want an agreement.'
Miller urged Hamas to stay at the table, telling the group the ball was 'in their court.'
The conflict has sparked regional
