Israel has widened its call for residents in additional areas of Rafah, located in the Gaza Strip, to evacuate and relocate to an “expanded humanitarian area” as it prepares for an intensified military offensive.
Despite considerable pressure from the United States, Israel has affirmed its intent to proceed with the assault on the southern city. Rafah has become a refuge for over 1.4 million people, including around half who are children, fleeing the ongoing conflict. Israeli forces claim that Hamas militants are entrenched in the area.
Tensions surrounding the impending offensive prompted President Joe Biden to caution that the U.S. would halt certain weapon supplies to Israel if it proceeded with a full-scale invasion.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained resolute in his stance to proceed with the attack, regardless of U.S. arms support, declaring a willingness to fight “with our fingernails” if necessary.
Warnings from the United Nations and humanitarian agencies have emphasized the catastrophic impact an Israeli assault on Rafah could have on civilian lives and humanitarian operations.
The UK government has voiced skepticism about the adequacy of the current evacuation arrangements, describing the designated area of al Mawasi as “pretty barren land” and expressing concerns about civilian protection.
Israel views Rafah as a strategic target, considering it to be the last stronghold of Hamas in Gaza. The objective of the military operation is to dismantle Hamas’s capabilities and secure the release of numerous hostages captured during the October attack that triggered the conflict.
However, Hamas has demonstrated resilience, even in areas heavily impacted by the ongoing hostilities.
Intense fighting has erupted in northern Gaza, which was the initial focus of the ground offensive. Israeli forces reported significant success in suppressing Hamas activity in the region late last year.
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee urged Palestinians in several neighborhoods around Gaza City to vacate their homes and seek refuge in shelters in the western part of the city, cautioning of the imminent danger posed by the conflict zone.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration has raised concerns that Israel’s use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Gaza may have breached international humanitarian law, although challenges in wartime conditions have hindered precise assessments of alleged violations.
The conflict, instigated by Hamas’s October attack, resulted in significant casualties, including over 1,200 fatalities and 250 hostages captured by insurgents.
Israel’s offensive in Gaza has led to extensive destruction, with the Gaza health ministry reporting over 34,800 Palestinian casualties, predominantly women and children. The population has been severely displaced, with 80% forced from their homes amidst the ongoing hostilities.
