Israel prepares for offensive in Rafah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to prepare to evacuate civilians from the southern Gazan city of Rafah, where some 1.5 million Palestinians are seeking refuge from Israeli combat operations. Israel is thought to be planning an expanded offensive against Hamas in the south of Gaza. Aid groups have warned it is not possible to evacuate everyone from the city.

Also on the programme: Former US President Donald Trump says he told the leaders of NATO countries that he would encourage Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to counties not paying enough into the alliance’s coffers; we look at the rise and fall of the American suburb.

Joining Julian Worricker to discuss all this and more are Gwen Hines, Chief Executive Officer of the charity Save the Children UK and Rami Khouri, a journalist, author and Distinguished Fellow at the American University of Beirut.

Produced by Albana Kasapi, Brian McCluskey, Alex Hacillo, Thomas Copeland and Salma Nurmohamed. Presented by Julian Worricker.

(Picture: Smoke rises during Israeli strikes while Palestinian children fly kites, as seen from a tent camp in Rafah, February 8, 2024 Credit: REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa)