Israel instructs residents of Rafah in Gaza to evacuate for a “restricted” military operation

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Israel Orders Evacuation of Eastern Rafah Ahead of Military Operation

Israel’s military has issued an evacuation order for Palestinian civilians in parts of eastern Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, ahead of a “limited” operation to be carried out. The move comes after seven months of conflict with Hamas, with Israel stating that taking control of Rafah is necessary to defeat the militant group.

Approximately 100,000 people have been directed to head to an “expanded humanitarian area” in Khan Younis and al-Mawasi. The United Nations and the United States have expressed concerns over the potential catastrophic consequences of an assault on Rafah, where more than a million displaced Palestinians are currently seeking shelter.

A senior Hamas official has labeled the evacuation order as a “dangerous escalation”. Israeli air strikes in Rafah reportedly killed at least 19 Palestinians overnight, following an attack by Hamas fighters that resulted in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers at the Kerem Shalom border crossing.

Efforts for a new ceasefire and hostage release deal have stalled, with mediators continuing their negotiations. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have emphasized that the operation in Rafah is of a “limited scope” and that the evacuation of civilians will be carried out gradually.

The IDF is using various methods such as text messages, flyers, and social media to inform residents of the evacuation. Flyers dropped by aircraft outline specific areas in Rafah where the military will be operating against terrorist organizations, instructing residents to evacuate immediately.

The expanded humanitarian area includes field hospitals, tents, and increased supplies of food, water, and medication. Despite these efforts, there are concerns among locals and displaced Palestinians that a wider offensive may be imminent.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long advocated for a full-scale offensive in Rafah, citing the presence of Hamas battalions in the city. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in thousands of casualties on both sides, with over 32,490 people killed in Gaza since the start of the war.

International powers have warned against a wide ground operation in Rafah due to the potential for high civilian casualties. Meetings between Israeli and US officials have been held to discuss alternative plans, though it remains unclear if the evacuation orders are part of these discussions.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has expressed concern over the potential consequences of the evacuation on the 1.4 million people in Gaza. Hamas has condemned the move as a “dangerous escalation” and has called on the US administration to take responsibility for the situation.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has emphasized the need for military action in Rafah, citing Hamas’s attacks and lack of cooperation in ceasefire negotiations. The US has reaffirmed its commitment to the safe return of hostages and the maintenance of humanitarian aid flow during any potential military operation.

As tensions escalate in Rafah, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict that has ravaged the region for months.