IT WILL HAPPEN..THERE IS A DATE

Israel's pledge to attack Rafah after killing Hezbollah chief

- CHRIS HUGHES

ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a date has been set for his ground invasion of Rafah.

Global alarm has been raised by the prospect of an offensive, including from Israel's top ally, the US, which has demanded to see a credible plan to protect civilians.

Currently 1.4 million. Palestinians are there, 600,000 of them children.

Israel has insisted it has a plan to protect the civilians.

It is purchasing 40,000 tents to prepare for the evacuation, an Israel official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to the media.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Netanyahu said the Rafah operation is essential for victory. "It will happen. There is a date," he added, without elaborating.