Israel says 'moving ahead' with Rafah operation in Gaza

Israel said Wednesday it is "moving ahead" with its planned operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, despite international outcry over fears for the 1.5 million Palestinians sheltering there. "Israel is moving ahead with our operation to target Hamas in Rafah," government spokesman David Mencer told a press briefing. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said repeatedly that Israel will press ahead with the threatened assault on Rafah, the last major population centre in Gaza that Israeli ground troops have yet to enter.