In response to Hamas attacks on October 7th, Israel has initiated a ground operation in Rafah, Gaza’s last major population center yet to be entered by Israeli troops. A government spokesperson confirmed the operation, but did not provide a timeline. Israel’s Defence Ministry has acquired 40,000 tents to accommodate Palestinians displaced from Rafah. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive, claiming Rafah houses Hamas battalions bolstered by retreating fighters.
However, Israel’s plans have drawn warnings from Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, who cautioned against catastrophic humanitarian consequences and regional instability. Rafah borders Egypt and hosts over a million Palestinians who fled earlier conflicts. The United States, Israel’s ally, has urged against a Rafah assault, suggesting alternative methods to combat Hamas fighters.
Despite withdrawing ground troops from southern Gaza, Israel continues air strikes and raids. Mediation efforts by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to prevent the Rafah offensive have been unsuccessful. Gaza officials estimate over 34,000 fatalities in Israel’s military campaign, with many bodies still believed to be buried under rubble.
