The war between Israel and Hamas
Israel begins evacuation of Rafah
Martin Palmborg,
Nivette Dawod
Updated 13.23 | Published 06.32
Israel is now beginning the evacuation of Palestinian civilians in the border town of Rafah in southern Gaza, according to several media outlets.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Sunday that a military offensive could be launched shortly.
The majority of Gaza's residents have fled to Rafah.
Quick version
Early on Monday morning, the news came that Israel had begun the evacuation of civilians in parts of the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.
The information from the Israeli military (IDF) was reproduced by several media.
The information from the Israeli military (IDF) was reproduced by several media.
Israeli Haaretz writes that the evacuation order affects 100,000 of the nearly 1.5 million Palestinians who made it to Rafah, following the instructions of the Israeli military.
Ruins of a residential building after an Israeli attack on the border town of Rafah. Photo: Hatem Ali / AP
Shortly
An army spokesman, Nadav Shoshani, has told the AP news agency that this should be seen as a minor operation, and that the IDF has prepared tents, field hospitals, food and water at al-Mawasi, on the Gaza sea coast, which has been declared a so-called humanitarian zone. The IDF also writes on X that civilians are notified of the evacuation via flyers, text messages, phone calls and television broadcasts.
During Monday afternoon there were reports that an area close to al-Mawasi was bombed by the IDF. Humanitarian zones have also been attacked in the past.
- The biggest genocide, the biggest disaster, will take place in Rafah. I appeal to the entire Arab world to act for a ceasefire, act and save us, says Aminah Adwan, one of all the internally displaced persons, to the Reuters news agency.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Sunday that military operations in Rafah could be carried out shortly. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also long said that a ground invasion of Rafah is inevitable to achieve the goal - to crush Hamas and bring home the people taken hostage in the October 7 terror attack.
An army spokesman, Nadav Shoshani, has told the AP news agency that this should be seen as a minor operation, and that the IDF has prepared tents, field hospitals, food and water at al-Mawasi, on the Gaza sea coast, which has been declared a so-called humanitarian zone. The IDF also writes on X that civilians are notified of the evacuation via flyers, text messages, phone calls and television broadcasts.
During Monday afternoon there were reports that an area close to al-Mawasi was bombed by the IDF. Humanitarian zones have also been attacked in the past.
- The biggest genocide, the biggest disaster, will take place in Rafah. I appeal to the entire Arab world to act for a ceasefire, act and save us, says Aminah Adwan, one of all the internally displaced persons, to the Reuters news agency.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Sunday that military operations in Rafah could be carried out shortly. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also long said that a ground invasion of Rafah is inevitable to achieve the goal - to crush Hamas and bring home the people taken hostage in the October 7 terror attack.
The majority of Gaza's population has fled to Rafah. Photo: Hatem Ali / AP
No new contract
Many had hoped that the weekend talks between Israel and Hamas, led by Egypt, would lead to Israel reconsidering plans for a ground offensive against Rafah.
During yesterday, however, it was announced that Hamas is leaving the talks - and no new agreement has been signed.
However, Haaretz writes that progress in the ceasefire talks could lead to Israel reconsidering plans for military action in the area.
Many had hoped that the weekend talks between Israel and Hamas, led by Egypt, would lead to Israel reconsidering plans for a ground offensive against Rafah.
During yesterday, however, it was announced that Hamas is leaving the talks - and no new agreement has been signed.
However, Haaretz writes that progress in the ceasefire talks could lead to Israel reconsidering plans for military action in the area.
A child in the camp in Rafah. Photo: Mohammed Dahman / AP
"No other choice"
Both international and Palestinian aid organizations are said to have been informed of the evacuation.
Meanwhile, one of the border crossings in southern Gaza, Kerem Shalom, remains closed after a rocket attack by Hamas this weekend in which three Israeli soldiers were killed.
That attack is said to have prompted Gallant to inform US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that Israel is abandoning efforts to reach a cease-fire agreement, writes the Times of Israel.
- We have no other choice and that means the start of Israel's operation in Rafah, Gallant is said to have told Austin yesterday.
Both international and Palestinian aid organizations are said to have been informed of the evacuation.
Meanwhile, one of the border crossings in southern Gaza, Kerem Shalom, remains closed after a rocket attack by Hamas this weekend in which three Israeli soldiers were killed.
That attack is said to have prompted Gallant to inform US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that Israel is abandoning efforts to reach a cease-fire agreement, writes the Times of Israel.
- We have no other choice and that means the start of Israel's operation in Rafah, Gallant is said to have told Austin yesterday.
"A Slaughter"
Hamas chief Sami Abi Zuhri told Reuters that Israel's evacuation order is "a dangerous escalation" that will have consequences.
World leaders and aid organizations have warned of the consequences if the IDF launches a ground offensive against Rafah, where the majority of Gaza's nearly 2.3 million residents have fled.
- Military operations in Rafah could lead to a slaughter in Gaza. It would also bring the already fragile humanitarian response to the brink of death, Martin Griffiths, the UN emergency chief, said in February.
Hamas chief Sami Abi Zuhri told Reuters that Israel's evacuation order is "a dangerous escalation" that will have consequences.
World leaders and aid organizations have warned of the consequences if the IDF launches a ground offensive against Rafah, where the majority of Gaza's nearly 2.3 million residents have fled.
- Military operations in Rafah could lead to a slaughter in Gaza. It would also bring the already fragile humanitarian response to the brink of death, Martin Griffiths, the UN emergency chief, said in February.
FACTS
Over 1,100 people, mainly Israelis, were killed and 240 people were kidnapped. Over 130 of them are still believed to be with Hamas in Gaza.
Backgrund
More than six months have passed since October 7, when Hamas attacked Israel in what is being called the worst massacre of Jews in modern times.Over 1,100 people, mainly Israelis, were killed and 240 people were kidnapped. Over 130 of them are still believed to be with Hamas in Gaza.
The military invasion that Israel launched shortly afterwards against the Gaza Strip - with the aim of exterminating Hamas and bringing back the hostages - has been very bloody. By Palestinians it is called a new Nakba, catastrophe, just like the expulsion of Palestinians that took place in 1948 when the state of Israel was established.
According to the Hamas-controlled health department in Gaza, over 34,000 Palestinians are estimated to have been killed by Israeli attacks, the majority of them women and children. Over 77,000 have been injured.
The UN has also warned that famine is imminent.
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar