ALBAWABA - A report by the Israeli newspaper revealed that Israel is planning to hand over control of the Rafah Crossing to a US security firm once its troops withdraw from the area.
The report continued that talks are still ongoing with the unnamed company, which is believed to recruit "former elite US soldiers and specializes in securing strategic sites in Africa and the Middle East". The US and Israel will be stepping in for any help needed, the report added.
No comment was made from US or Israeli officials to confirm Haaretz's report. When asked about the report, John Kirby, US National Security Council spokesman, he stated that he has no knowledge of diverting the control of Rafah crossing to a US security firm.
Despite the dire warnings that a ground invasion in Rafah will cause a humanitarian catastrophe, US Department of State spokesman, Matthew Miller, voiced his administration's approval of the assault saying "it was intended to dismantle Hamas’ control of the Gaza side of the crossing".
John Kirby said "I know nothing about your [question]," when he was asked if he had any knowledge of the recruitment.
Earlier on Monday, The IOF ordered the 1.5+ million Gazans to evacuate the small city of Rafah after being pushed out of their houses from the northern and middle areas of the enclave.
The strikes on Rafah came just after Hamas said that it had agreed to a cease-fire plan from mediators. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the truce proposal fell short of Israel's expectations and that his war cabinet approved continuing the operation in Rafah.
The Israeli army also posted maps illustrating evacuation routes on social media accounts. Israel has been threatening to invade Rafah for months, as officials insist that it remains to be the last haven for Hamas members in the enclave.
On October 27, Israel launched a full-scale ground invasion of the strip, to allegedly "destroy Hamas" across the besieged strip, while pushing residents of the northern and middle areas of Gaza to evacuate to the south, or what the IOF claims to be "safe zones for civilians".
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The latest statistics by the Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed that the death toll from Israeli brutal pounding on the Gaza Strip since October 7 has soared to 34,844+ people, with more than 78,404+ injuries.
Since then, approximately 85% of Gazans have been displaced, all of whom are suffering from severe food insecurity, and the healthcare system has collapsed. Hundreds of thousands of people lack shelter, and aid trucks are entering the area at a lower rate than before the conflict began.
