Israel vows to press ahead with 'powerful' Rafah operation, despite global opposition

[Collection]Israel vowed Wednesday to press on with a "powerful" operation in war-torn Gaza's Rafah, even as calls mounted for it to hold off sending troops into the territory's overcrowded far-southern city. - 'Hanging in the balance' - The potential for mass civilian casualties in Rafah triggered urgent appeals -- including from close allies -- for Israel to hold off sending troops into the last major population centre they have yet to enter in the conflict.