Israel’s incursion into Rafah has sparked intense fighting and widespread condemnation from the international community. The Israeli military’s seizure of a strategic corridor on the Palestinian territory’s border with Egypt has led to reports of artillery shelling and gunfire in the far-southern city of Gaza.
The incursion, which began in early May, has resulted in the discovery of around 20 tunnels by Israeli troops. The military claims that these tunnels are being used for smuggling, but Egypt has rejected these allegations, calling them a pretext for continuing the operation in Rafah.
The situation in Rafah has drawn attention from around the world, with a social media campaign using the slogan “All eyes on Rafah” garnering millions of shares. The United Nations has reported that up to 1.4 million people were sheltering in Rafah before the offensive began, but since then, one million have fled the area.
The violence in Rafah has resulted in numerous casualties, including the deaths of two Palestinian Red Crescent paramedics in an Israeli bombing of an ambulance. A weekend strike in a displacement camp killed 45 people, prompting discussions at the UN Security Council and calls for an immediate ceasefire.
International leaders, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, have called for increased humanitarian assistance to Gaza and a comprehensive peace conference to address the conflict. France has also expressed support for a strong UN statement on Rafah and the prospect of recognizing the State of Palestine.
Despite calls for a ceasefire and concerns about civilian casualties, Israel’s National Security Adviser has indicated that the war in Rafah could continue until the end of the year. The United States, while urging Israel to refrain from a full-scale offensive, has not seen Israel cross President Joe Biden’s “red lines” so far.
As the conflict in Rafah continues to escalate, the international community is calling for a swift resolution and a plan for the reconstruction and stabilization of Gaza in the aftermath of the fighting. The use of US-made munitions in the conflict has also raised questions about America’s role in the ongoing violence.