Hamas warns Israeli offensive into Rafah will cause ‘tens of thousands’ of casualties; AP says 31 killed there early Sat.

Palestinians check debris of a building in the aftermath of Israeli strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on February 10, 2024. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP)
Palestinians check debris of a building in the aftermath of Israeli strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on February 10, 2024. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP)

Hamas warns that there could be “tens of thousands” of dead and injured if the Israeli military attacks Rafah, in the far south of the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week said he had ordered troops to prepare to go into the city, crowded with displaced Palestinians, as it hunts down those responsible for the deadly October 7 attacks on southern Israel.

Hamas says in a statement that any military action would have catastrophic repercussions that “may lead to tens of thousands of martyrs and injured if Rafah… is invaded.”

The terror group says it would hold “the American administration, international community and the Israeli occupation” responsible if that happened.

The Associated Press said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 31 Palestinians in Rafah early Saturday, quoting Hamas health officials and its own reporting.

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