Israel has urged residents in additional areas of Rafah in the Gaza Strip in Palestine to evacuate and move to the “expanded humanitarian area” as it readies to escalate its military offensive.
Despite significant pressure from the US, Israel has declared its intention to move forward with an attack on the southern city, where over 1.4 million individuals have sought shelter from the conflict – with approximately half of them being children – and Israeli forces claim that Hamas militants are entrenched.
President Joe Biden’s warning about halting the supply of certain weapons to Israel if it proceeds with an invasion has heightened tensions surrounding the impending offensive.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to carry out the assault regardless of US arms, asserting that they will fight fiercely if necessary.
Various organizations, including the United Nations, have cautioned that an Israeli assault on Rafah, which is situated near the main aid entry points and borders Egypt, would severely impact humanitarian efforts and result in a catastrophic increase in civilian casualties.
Israel views Rafah as the final Hamas stronghold in Gaza and a crucial element in its mission to dismantle the group’s capabilities and secure the release of numerous hostages taken during the 7 October attack that sparked the conflict.
Despite the extensive damage inflicted on the enclave, Hamas has managed to regroup, even in the most heavily affected areas.
Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee has advised Palestinians in several neighborhoods around Gaza City to evacuate their homes and seek refuge in shelters to the west, cautioning them about the perilous combat zone and Israel’s imminent use of significant force.
The Biden administration has expressed concern over Israel’s use of US-provided weapons in Gaza, suggesting that it may have violated international humanitarian law. However, due to the ongoing conflict, officials have been unable to determine specific instances of alleged breaches.
Meanwhile, negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have temporarily halted. In a news conference, UN aid officials emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire to prevent further bloodshed and ensure the delivery of essential aid.
Georgios Petropoulos of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that Israeli bombs continue to target areas like Rafah and Muwasi, which have a significant number of displaced people seeking refuge.
However, Israeli military activity has hindered the safe and effective delivery of aid to these areas. As a result, supplies of food and fuel are running critically low, posing a threat to hospitals and the overall health situation. The World Food Programme is also at risk of depleting its supplies for southern Gaza by Saturday.