Israel Escalates Gaza Conflict, Evacuates Rafah
Image: Children stand outside tents in a camp for displaced Palestinians in Gaza.
LA News Center Exclusive
Amidst the escalating conflict in Gaza, Israel’s military has issued an evacuation order for the southern city of Rafah, where nearly half of the enclave’s population currently resides.
Evacuation Underway
“For your safety, evacuate immediately to the expanded humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi,” Israeli Defense Force (IDF) spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on Twitter. Al-Mawasi, a narrow coastal strip, is already home to hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians living in tents with limited access to essentials.
Netanyahu’s Resolve
Despite international condemnation and warnings of a humanitarian crisis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains resolute in his determination to launch an offensive in Rafah. “We will enter Rafah and eliminate the Hamas battalions there – with or without a [cease-fire] deal, in order to achieve total victory,” he declared in Jerusalem.
Hamas’ Last Bastion
The IDF estimates that between 5,000 and 8,000 Hamas fighters are currently entrenched in the densely-populated Rafah, which the militant group considers its final stronghold.
Hostage Negotiations Collapse
The evacuation announcement comes after the collapse of the latest round of negotiations in Cairo, where Hamas and Israeli officials traded blame for the talks’ failure. Hamas had proposed releasing hostages in exchange for a cease-fire, but Israel rejected the offer, insisting on its goal of eliminating the group entirely.
Humanitarian Concerns
The White House, United Nations, and other international organizations have strongly urged Israel against an offensive in Rafah, citing the potential for a devastating humanitarian crisis. Over 1.2 million people are currently sheltering in the city, many of whom fled other parts of the Gaza Strip and live in unsanitary conditions without adequate supplies.
Uncertainty Lie Ahead
As Israel prepares for its military operation, the fate of Rafah’s population remains uncertain. The evacuation order raises concerns about the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians and the possibility of further bloodshed in the ongoing conflict.
Data sourced from: cnbc.com
