Israeli Military Plans to Expand Ground Assault into Rafah, Raising Concerns for Displaced Palestinians and Aid Organizations
As the conflict between Israel and Palestine continues to escalate, the Israeli military has announced its plans to expand its ground assault into Rafah, a southern area in the Gaza Strip. This development has raised concerns for displaced Palestinians and aid organizations, as Rafah is the last designated “safe zone” in Gaza. The situation has become increasingly dire for the people seeking shelter in Rafah, as Israel continues to hamper the flow of aid into the region.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant took to social media to announce the military’s intentions. “The Khan Younis Brigade of the Hamas organization is disbanded, we will complete the mission there and continue to Rafah,” he stated. “We will continue until the end, there is no other way.” This statement has sparked fear among the displaced population in Rafah, who are already facing desperate conditions.
Rafah, located near the border with Egypt, has become overcrowded with approximately 1.9 million of Gaza’s 2.3 million people seeking refuge there. These individuals are staying in residential buildings or sleeping in the streets without proper protection or basic infrastructure. Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Rafah, highlighted the dire situation faced by the displaced population. They lack essentials such as toilets, clean water, blankets, and suitable clothing for the approaching winter. These conditions put them at risk of illness and further suffering.
The announcement by Defence Minister Gallant has only heightened the panic among the people of Rafah. They have nowhere else to go, as beyond Rafah lies only the Egyptian border. Emad, a 55-year-old businessman and father of six in Rafah, expressed his concerns, stating that if Israeli tanks continue to advance, they will be left with two choices: stay and die or attempt to cross into Egypt by climbing the walls. The potential consequences of an Israeli assault on Rafah are dire, with Emad warning of a massacre unlike anything seen before in this war.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported that the Israeli army has already killed over 27,000 people, mostly women and children, since the conflict began on October 7. Palestinians fear that Israel’s plan to expand its ground assault into Rafah will only result in more death and destruction. The sentiment among Palestinians is that this move by the Israeli military is another step towards genocide.
The international community has also expressed alarm at the situation unfolding in southern Gaza. The United Nations and various human rights organizations have been raising concerns as the Israeli military gradually expands its operations. Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza, has already been encircled by Israeli soldiers and tanks, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians and the displacement of hundreds of thousands more towards Rafah.
The UN’s humanitarian office has voiced its deep concern about the escalation of hostilities in Khan Younis, which has led to an increase in the number of internally displaced people seeking refuge in Rafah. Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), highlighted the dire situation in Rafah, referring to it as a “pressure cooker of despair.” The fear for what comes next is palpable.
It is worth noting that Israel’s attacks on Khan Younis and its planned expansion into Rafah come after a provisional ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in response to South Africa’s genocide case against Israel. The ICJ directed Israel to take measures to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza and to allow more humanitarian aid into the strip. However, it appears unlikely that an imminent agreement between Israel and Hamas, mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, will be able to halt Israel’s ground incursion into Rafah.
As the conflict intensifies and the situation in Rafah becomes increasingly dire, the international community must continue to raise awareness and pressure for a peaceful resolution. The lives of innocent civilians, especially those seeking refuge in Rafah, hang in the balance. Urgent action is needed to prevent further loss of life and ensure the provision of essential aid to those in need.
