Feb 2, 2024 at 1:45 PM Update: an hour ago
NU.nl regularly gives you an overview of the situation in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. With this time: Israel wants to expand the fighting against Hamas to Rafah. There are 1.15 million refugees in southern Gaza. The UN fears for their fate.
The UN humanitarian agency OCHA called the southern city of Rafah a “pressure cooker of misery” on Friday, the news agency reported Reuters. Because in recent months, more than half of the 2.3 million Gazans have fled to the south, whether or not on behalf of Israel.
The United Nations’ concerns follow statements by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant. During a visit to the troops on Thursday, the minister said he wants to disperse Hamas in Rafah, as is currently happening in Khan Younis, writes The Jerusalem Post.
Galant also said that Hamas has been all but defeated in the city of Khan Younis. According to the minister, it is now important to complete the operation there and then advance to Rafah to “eliminate all terrorists who are trying to harm us”.
Receive a regular overview of developments in Gaza and Israel. Stay informed with notifications
More than a million children in Gaza need psychological help
UNICEF says no on Friday The Jerusalem Post that an estimated seventeen thousand children in Gaza have been separated from their families or acquaintances. Almost all children there now need psychological help, the organization warns.
“They are very anxious, have panic attacks and little appetite,” said a UNICEF spokesperson. “Before the conflict, we had about half a million children in need of treatment, but now we expect that almost all children need help. That amounts to more than a million.”
Three thousand soldiers treated after conscription
The Israeli army has also released figures on mental health care, reports The Times of Israel. According to the armed forces, three thousand soldiers have undergone treatment after their military service in Gaza. A large majority of them (82 percent) have returned to the front.
Israel’s Health Ministry will tighten its guidelines for the treatment of returning hostages. From now on, they will stay in the hospital for at least four days, so that more attention is paid to mental health. Hospital staff are receiving additional training in treating victims of torture and sexual abuse.
1:30Play button
Refugee camp in southern Gaza is bursting at the seams
No breakthrough in negotiations yet
Finally, talks about a truce between Israel and Hamas are still ongoing. The two sides are negotiating a possible ceasefire through mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the United States. The talks started at the end of December and led to a round of consultations in Paris last week, where a new proposal was put on the table.
The US is said to be hopeful about progress The Jerusalem Post. Qatar is also optimistic and is reported to have said that Hamas is positive about the proposal. But that was later contradicted. Israel would first want Hamas’ response to the proposal wait.
The conflict explained
You must log in to ask a question. Log in or create your free account within 1 minute.
Log in immediately
Create a free account
2024-02-02 12:45:00
#Israel #advance #Rafah #fears #refugees #War #Israel #Hamas
