Israel carried out "targeted attacks" in eastern Rafah in Gaza on Monday evening, several media reports.
According to the country's military, it is Hamas targets that are being attacked. Witnesses tell SR Ekot that tanks rolled into eastern Rafah, but this has not been confirmed.
On Monday, Israel called on around 100,000 Palestinians to evacuate East Rafah, in what was seen as a step towards a ground invasion.
Hamas has accepted a proposal for a cease-fire, but Israel believes that the country's demands are not being met. How the proposal is formulated is unclear.
.......................................
Here they flee Rafah: "The biggest disaster happens here"
Thousands of people were forced out of a rainy Gaza on Monday after Israel ordered an evacuation of eastern Rafah. Up to a hundred thousand civilians are asked to make their way to tent camps two miles away.
- The Israeli occupying power said that we should go to Rafah, and that it was a safe area. Today they say we should leave Rafah. Where should people go? To the sea? says the Palestinian Abu Ahmed according to the BBC.
Sky News quotes Aminah Adwan who has been awake since 02 because of Israeli airstrikes.
- We woke up to rain falling. We, our clothes and things are completely dung-acidic. Now we're standing outside in the street, she says.
- The worst genocide, the biggest disaster, will take place in Rafah.
....................................
Tens of thousands are forced to flee Rafah - Israel is said to have informed the US of the invasion
Israel is urging upwards of a hundred thousand civilians to leave the city of Rafah and go to tent camps in nearby Khan Yunis and Muwasi. The call suggests that a ground invasion is imminent.
Rafah has been in the media's eye for several months. Israel wants to carry out a ground invasion with the aim of wiping out Hamas but has been disowned by large parts of the outside world.
Over the weekend, negotiations on a ceasefire were held in Cairo. Hamas has always demanded a permanent ceasefire to release the hostages. Israel refuses to agree to a permanent end to the war.
Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is said to have said in a conversation with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that Hamas' stance means that Israel must enter Rafah.
- We have no other choice and that means the start of Israel's operation in Rafah, Gallant told Austin according to the Times of Israel.
........................................
USA: Biden made clear to Israel how we view Rafah
US President Joe Biden has stated in a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin that Israel should not launch a ground invasion of Rafah, several media reports.
According to a statement from the White House, the United States' "clear position" was reiterated.
The call was held after Israel ordered the evacuation of upwards of 100,000 Palestinians from parts of Rafah.
The UN agency Unicef warns that a ground invasion would mean a disaster for civilians, especially children, because there are no safe places to flee to, writes CNN.
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar