IDF carrying out intensive preparations for upcoming Rafah op, future Gaza offensives

The Israeli military’s 98th and 162nd divisions have been carrying out intensive preparations in recent days for future offensives in the Gaza Strip, including the looming Rafah operation.

In a statement, the IDF says the two divisions are “working to strengthen readiness for the continuation of the war in the Gaza Strip,” and that both had gone over plans for the upcoming operations.

The 162nd Division had operated in Gaza for six months until last week. It had most recently been tasked with the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza. The 98th Division had spent four months operating in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, until it was withdrawn earlier this month.

“The division commanders have completed the approval of plans for the next missions, and are now continuing to increase readiness,” the IDF says.

The commanders of the divisions and their brigades have also undergone learning sessions in preparation for future operations, the statement says.

The IDF says the divisions’ maintenance teams recently patched up all of their armored vehicles, to “increase their readiness for continuous combat.”

The announcement comes as the IDF is preparing to launch an offensive in Rafah, with Hebrew media reporting that if a hostage deal with Hamas is not reached within the next few days, the operation will commence.