Netanyahu approves Rafah plans, rejects Hamas' truce proposal

Israel preparing evacuation of civilians in southern Gaza city ahead of incursion

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on March 15 approved plans for a military operation and civilian evacuation in Rafah - the southern Gaza city where more than a million have taken shelter after Israel rejected the latest truce counterproposal from Hamas.

Mr Netanyahu's office described Hamas' latest proposal as "unrealistic", but said a delegation would leave for Qatar to discuss Israel's position on a potential agreement.

It said the Israeli army, meanwhile, was settling operational issues and readying the evacuation of the civilian population in Rafah in preparation for a ground operation that Mr Netanyahu had green-lit.

Mr Netanyahu "approved the operation plans" following a war Cabinet meeting in which a ceasefire deal submitted by Hamas was discussed, according to a statement.

Israeli troops are "preparing for the operational aspects and for the evacuation of the population", it said, without indicating a timeframe.

Hamas presented a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the United States that includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences, according to a proposal seen by Reuters.

Hamas said the initial release of Israelis would include female, child, elderly and ill hostages in exchange for the release of 700 to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. The release of Israeli "female recruits" is included.

But Mr Netanyahu's office said these proposals were still based on "unrealistic demands".