Israel Seeks to Evacuate Palestinians in Southern Gaza City Ahead of Expected Invasion
In a move that has drawn heavy international criticism, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to prepare a plan to evacuate civilians from Rafah, a densely populated city in southern Gaza. This comes ahead of an expected Israeli invasion into the city, which shares a border with Egypt. Rafah, which had a prewar population of approximately 280,000, is now home to an additional 1.4 million people who have sought refuge there after fleeing fighting in other parts of Gaza.
Israel claims that Rafah is the last remaining stronghold of Hamas in Gaza after more than four months of war. The Israeli government argues that leaving four Hamas battalions in Rafah would make it impossible to achieve the goal of eliminating Hamas. Therefore, Netanyahu's office has stated that intense military activity in Rafah necessitates the evacuation of civilians from combat areas.
The war between Israel and Hamas began when several thousand Hamas militants crossed the border into southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched an air and ground offensive that has killed approximately 28,000 Palestinians, with the majority being women and minors. The conflict has also displaced roughly 80% of Gaza's 2.3 million population, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis with shortages of food and medical services.
Netanyahu has faced increasing international criticism for the civilian death toll, with many accusing Hamas of operating and hiding in residential areas, thereby endangering civilians. However, criticism has grown as Netanyahu and other leaders express their intention to move into Rafah. U.S. President Joe Biden has described Israel's conduct in the war as "over the top," marking the harshest U.S. criticism of its close ally. The U.S. State Department has warned that an invasion of Rafah under current circumstances would be a disaster.
The operation to evacuate civilians from Rafah poses significant challenges. It is unclear where the displaced population can go, as the Israeli offensive has caused widespread destruction, leaving many without homes to return to. Additionally, Egypt has expressed concerns that any movement of Palestinians across the border into Egypt would jeopardize the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. The border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which is mostly closed, serves as the main entry point for humanitarian aid.
As tensions rise, airstrikes have already begun targeting Rafah from the air. Overnight airstrikes hit residential buildings, including a kindergarten-turned-shelter for displaced Palestinians. These attacks resulted in the deaths of 22 people. The situation has prompted growing friction between top U.S. officials and Netanyahu, following a visit to the region by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Blinken, who has been working on mediating a cease-fire, left the region without an agreement but expressed hope for a deal that would include a pause in fighting and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The ongoing war has taken a devastating toll on the Palestinian population, with thousands of lives lost, widespread destruction, and a dire humanitarian situation. Efforts to reach a cease-fire and find a resolution to the conflict continue, but the challenges and complexities involved make it a difficult task. The international community, including the United States, plays a crucial role in urging all parties to de-escalate the situation and work towards a peaceful resolution.
Source: News Agencies