Israeli Forces Battle Palestinian Militants in Gaza Strip
Rafah Identified as Key Battlefield Area
RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian militants continue to engage Israeli forces in intense clashes across various parts of the Gaza Strip, including battle-scarred sections of the north, which Israeli officials claim to have previously cleared. Hamas, exploiting the security vacuum in the devastated north, has regrouped and solidified its hold on the last remaining stronghold, the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Israeli forces have deemed the invasion of Rafah as crucial for dismantling the group and rescuing numerous hostages. Recent military operations in Rafah have escalated, prompting an exodus of around 300,000 residents and raising concerns in Egypt about the potential repercussions on the peace treaty with Israel, in effect for decades.
Israel has yet to present a detailed postwar governance plan for Gaza, declaring an open-ended security control over the coastal territory, home to approximately 2.3 million Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed postwar proposals by the United States for the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza, with support from Arab and Muslim nations. Netanyahu’s government vehemently opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state, which the postwar proposals hinge on.
Hamas has capitalised on the absence of a functioning government and the resulting breakdown of public order in Gaza. The conflict started when militants, including Hamas, initiated an attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 individuals, most of whom were civilians, and the abduction of more than 250 hostages. Hamas still holds around 100 captives and numerous remain fragments. Mediated talks to secure a ceasefire and the release of captives have reached an impasse.
Intensified Offensive in the North
Palestinians living in the urban Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip and other affected areas reported heavy Israeli bombardment overnight. Previously isolated by Israeli forces and now facing widespread devastation, these areas have recently witnessed an escalation in violence. United Nations officials have described the situation in Jabaliya refugee camp as a “full-blown famine.” Israeli warplanes and artillery have increasingly targeted the camp, the Zeitoun area, and more recently, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun. To quell growing Israeli frustrations, military operations are now being conducted in Jabaliya for the second time and in Zeitoun for the third time. The absence of a comprehensive, alternate plan for Gaza’s governance during the postwar period is now under scrutiny, as the inability to topple Hamas without offering a viable alternative is reminiscent of the American experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mass Exodus & Humanitarian Concerns in the South
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the primary aid provider in Gaza, has confirmed that about 300,000 people have fled Rafah since the Israeli operation began. Most of them have sought refuge in the heavily damaged city of Khan Younis and the overcrowded Mawasi tent camp along the coast. Prior to the Israeli operation, Rafah housed 1.3 million Palestinians, the majority of whom had previously fled other conflict-ridden parts of the territory.
As Israeli forces have captured the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing and subsequently enforced its closure, the vital entry point for humanitarian aid from Egypt has been severely affected. Egypt, citing the unacceptable Israeli escalation, has refused to cooperate with Israel in aid delivery through the crossing. Confirming the gravity of the situation, a top Egyptian official has disclosed that Egypt has expressed its concern to Israel, the United States, and European nations, emphasizing that the ongoing offensive jeopardizes the Israel-Egypt peace treaty, a cornerstone of regional stability.
In response to allegations of breaching international law and the ongoing civilian casualties, the United States has stated that it will not deliver offensive weapons to Israel for use in Rafah. Additionally, it has accused Israel of reasonable violations of international law to protect civilians. Israel maintains that it takes precautions to avoid civilian casualties and assigns blame to Hamas for operating in densely populated residential areas. Nevertheless, the military frequently refrains from commenting on individual strikes, the majority of which result in the deaths of women and children. Most recently, a strike in central Gaza claimed the lives of local prominent dentists, Mohammed Qazaat and his son, Youssef.
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