Israel has issued a strong plea to Palestinians residing in certain neighborhoods of Rafah, urging them to evacuate immediately.
The Israeli military has warned that it will employ extreme military measures against Hamas militants in the southern Gaza city. Despite opposition from the US, EU, and UN, Israel has been making preparations for a potential incursion in Rafah, which is currently home to over a million people.
Avichay Adraee, the head of the Israel Defense Force’s Arab media division, emphasized the IDF’s determination to take forceful action against terrorist organizations in the area. The timing of the military operation, however, remains unclear. In response to a Hamas rocket attack that resulted in the deaths of three soldiers and injuries to eleven others, Israel closed the main border crossing used for delivering humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israeli authorities argue that Rafah is the last significant stronghold of Hamas and that the city must be taken in order to achieve victory over the militant group. A senior Hamas official has condemned the evacuation order, deeming it a dangerous escalation with potential consequences.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has reported that 1.4 million Palestinians who fled the northern parts of Rafah since October are currently residing there.
Concerns have been raised by the international community regarding the potential civilian casualties that may result from a military operation in the city. Josep Borrell, a prominent EU diplomat, has strongly criticized the Rafah evacuation order, deeming it “unacceptable” and urging Israel to renounce its ground offensive plan. This plan has caused a strain in the relationship between Israel and its closest ally, the US.
Despite President Joe Biden’s previous statement that an Israeli invasion of Rafah would be a “red line,” Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu dismissed it. Pressure has been mounting on Washington from the UN, pro-Palestinian demonstrators, and human rights organizations to cease arming Israel.
Following a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, Netanyahu declared war on the Palestinian militant group, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties and around 250 hostages. The death toll from Israel’s retaliatory actions in the enclave is nearing 35,000, as reported by Palestinian health authorities.
