ANKARA

Israel plans to keep its military forces stationed near the southern city of Rafah as part of preparations to build a large displacement camp for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, according to a report by Israeli Channel 12.

According to the broadcaster, Israel is insisting on maintaining its military presence just 2-3 kilometers north of the Philadelphi Corridor in southern Gaza.

Israel is also said to have presented an updated withdrawal map from Gaza, which includes a pullback from the Morag Corridor separating Khan Younis from Rafah, while maintaining full control over Rafah itself.

Meanwhile, Channel 12 cited an Israeli military officer as acknowledging that Hamas fighters are still “operating relatively quickly” and are “capable of regaining strength,” indicating that forces are facing persistent resistance despite months of ground offensives.

The troops also reportedly admitted that Hamas has “shown resilience” and that Israel has so far “failed” to establish full control over Gaza.

The Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, killing nearly 57,800 Palestinians so far, most of them women and children. The relentless bombardment has destroyed the enclave, making it uninhabitable. Talks for a ceasefire are underway in Doha, the capital of Qatar.