Israel May Launch Ground Assault on Gaza’s Displaced Haven in Rafah
The Israeli military is planning to escalate its ground assault into Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, where the majority of Palestinians in the besieged enclave have sought refuge amidst ongoing heavy bombardment elsewhere in Gaza.
This potential advancement has instilled fear among the displaced population and has raised concerns from global aid organizations, as the last place designated as a “safe zone” in Gaza is now threatened. This development coincides with continued Israeli measures that hinder the flow of aid.
According to Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, in a post on the social media platform X late on Thursday, the Khan Younis Brigade of the Hamas organization has been disbanded, and the Israeli military intends to expand its mission into Rafah. Gallant also conveyed that there is no alternative but to “continue until the end.”
Rafah, near the border with Egypt, has become home to approximately 1.9 million of Gaza’s 2.3 million people. The displaced population is currently residing in residential buildings or on the streets without adequate protection or essential infrastructure.
Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Rafah, highlighted that the displaced population there is lacking basic necessities such as toilets, clean water, blankets, and suitable clothing, thereby putting them at risk of illness. He emphasized that Gallant’s statement demonstrates a disregard for the well-being of the people in Rafah, exacerbating their desperate conditions.
The potential Israeli military advancement into Rafah has heightened panic among the residents, as they believe it could result in a massacre. The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that the Israeli army has killed over 27,000 people, predominantly women and children, since the start of the war on October 7.
The United Nations and international human rights organizations have expressed deep concern over the gradual expansion of Israeli ground operations in southern Gaza. They have particularly highlighted the dire situation in Khan Younis, where thousands of Palestinians have been forced to flee to Rafah amid escalating hostilities.
This planned expansion into Rafah comes in the wake of the International Court of Justice’s provisional ruling on measures requested by South Africa in its genocide case against Israel. The ICJ directed Israel to take steps to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza and to facilitate more humanitarian aid into the strip.
Despite ongoing talks to halt the war, potentially including mediation from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, an imminent agreement seems unlikely to prevent Israel’s intended ground incursion into Rafah.
