Gazans Fleeing as Israeli Forces Prepare for Military Operation in Rafah
The city of Rafah, located on the border of Gaza, is experiencing a mass exodus as residents attempt to escape ahead of an anticipated military operation by Israeli forces. The situation has left many uncertain about their next steps and facing dwindling resources. Anwaar al-Rai, a 48-year-old resident, expressed her fear, stating, “We’ve been living in a state of terror for about a week now.” She and her husband, Mahmoud al-Rai, along with their two daughters, have been desperately reaching out to acquaintances in the western areas of Gaza’s central region, seeking a safe haven.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently called for a “massive operation” in Rafah, citing the need to eliminate remaining Hamas militant units in the city. The Israeli strikes on Monday, which were said to be part of a hostage rescue operation, have only intensified the fears among the residents. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, these strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 67 people.
The Biden administration has consistently warned against any military operation in Rafah that puts civilians at risk. President Biden emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and support of the more than 1 million people seeking shelter in the area. However, the Israeli government maintains that it needs to remove Hamas and free the remaining prisoners who were kidnapped during the October 7 attacks on Israel.
In an effort to justify their plans to enter Rafah, Netanyahu argued that critics of Israel’s strategy are essentially advocating for defeat in the war. The Israel Defense Forces released a video showing Hamas leader Yehiya Sinwar and his family in a tunnel under Khan Younis on October 10, providing the first public glimpse of the elusive leader since the conflict began.
Rafah was previously one of Gaza’s last refuges and has seen its population swell to an estimated 1.4 million people since the war started. Many of those displaced have ended up in sprawling tent encampments on the outskirts of the city. Despite the Israeli military’s previous order to evacuate the central region, several Gazans in Rafah are attempting to head north to Gaza’s central region. Shadi Asaad, 32, expressed his desperation as he searched for an additional tent for his family. Charitable organizations initially provided tents for free, but they are now being sold on the market at exorbitant prices, reaching up to $1,000 each.
Rami Muhammad, 32, and his wife Najwa, along with their two children, were forced to leave their apartment near Qarara after the property owner sought refuge in Rafah. They now share a makeshift tent in Zawaida, located farther north in the Deir al-Balah region. Muhammad lamented the soaring prices of tents, making even a basic one unaffordable for many.
In other developments, CIA Director William J. Burns and Israeli intelligence chief David Barnea met in Egypt to negotiate a possible hostage-release deal. U.S. officials are optimistic that Israel will present a counterproposal to Hamas’s latest offer, and they believe that progress is being made towards reaching an agreement. Additionally, two Israelis were injured by rocket fire in the town of Kiryat Shmona near the Lebanon border. While it is unusual for civilians to be targeted, tensions between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants have escalated.
The South African government has made an urgent request to the International Court of Justice to consider whether Israel’s planned offensive in Rafah violates the rights of Palestinians in Gaza. This request follows South Africa’s previous genocide case against Israel in December, where the ICJ ordered Israel to take more measures to protect civilians but did not call for a cease-fire.
Since the war began, the Gaza Health Ministry reports that at least 28,473 people have been killed, and 68,146 have been injured in Gaza. Israel estimates that approximately 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’s October 7 attack.
As the situation in Rafah remains tense, the residents continue to seek safety and stability amidst the uncertainty. The international community closely watches the developments, hoping for a peaceful resolution that prioritizes the protection of civilians.
