Israeli War Minister Yoav Gallant informed a senior aide to U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday that ‘Israel’ plans to expand its military operations in Rafah, despite warnings from Washington about the potential for mass civilian casualties.
Israel views Rafah, bordering the Egyptian Sinai, as Hamas’s last stronghold. Over the more than seven-month war, ‘Israel’ has aimed to dismantle Hamas’s governing and combat capabilities.
On May 6, following weeks of public disagreements with the U.S. regarding Israel’s war strategy in Rafah, ‘Israel’ ordered civilians to evacuate parts of the city and initiated troop and tank incursions.
Following the Israeli army’s ground incursions into neighborhoods east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, thousands of residents have continued to migrate westward towards Khan Yunis as of May 9, 2024.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reported on May 6 that an estimated 810,000 people had fled Rafah, possibly more than half of the city’s wartime population. There was no immediate U.S. comment on the discussions.
Gallant emphasized Israel’s commitment to expanding the ground operation to dismantle Hamas and recover hostages believed to be held in Rafah.
Concerns have been raised by Western powers and Egypt regarding the safety of hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians, despite Israeli assurances of humanitarian measures.
Gallant’s office stated that he briefed U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on the evacuation measures and humanitarian responses implemented by ‘Israel’, yet nothing on the ground approves that.
Hundreds of Palestinians who fled Rafah have no place to resort to and many were seen sleeping in streets without food, water, or shelter.
Rafah was a home to 1.5 m Palestinians who sought it after Israeli forces invaded northern cities of the Gaza enclave and now are forced once again to relocate.
Since October 7, Israeli forces have killed at least 35,456 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since, the Palestinian health ministry said on Sunday, and wounded at least 79,476 others.
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