Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly approved a plan for the IDF to enter the southern city of Rafah in Gaza where the last Hamas stronghold remains.

Israel has been under intense pressure from its allies including the UK and the USA not to mount a ground operation in the area because of the potential civilian casualties.

More than a million Gazans are crowded into the district close to the Egyptian border, many having fled from other areas in the five months of fighting since terrorists attacked Israel on October 7.

Israeli media have quoted the Prime Minister’s Office as saying, “The IDF is prepared for the operation and to evacuate the [civilian] population.”

Meanwhile, Mr Netanyahu is said to have dismissed the latest Hamas ceasefire proposals as absurd.

US President Joe Biden had previously expressed hopes of achieving a ceasefire leading to the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza before the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which started this week.