Khaberni - The armed Yasser Abu Shabab militia, supported by Israel and located east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, announced that it has begun a "cleansing" operation in the city to rid it of militants, claiming this is happening in cooperation with the International Peace Council. Ghassan Al-Dahini, the deputy of Yasser Abu Shabab, said "the forces will begin a cleansing operation in various areas of Rafah city".
In a video published by the so-called "People's Forces" on their Facebook page, he confirmed that "these tasks are part of a direct involvement with the Peace Council and aim to ensure the security of civilians in Rafah and provide an environment free from extremist threats".
He said, "House by house and street by street... we will cleanse Rafah of terrorism."
Dozens of militants remain besieged in Rafah city even after the declaration of a ceasefire, with Hamas demanding their withdrawal from the city while Israel refuses.
Hamas stated that the groups besieged in Rafah, which Israel estimates to be about 200 militants, have been out of contact for months.
