Results for: Rafah

Israeli officials are exploring the possibility of handing over control of Gaza’s Rafah border crossing to the European Union and Palestinian authorities, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opposition. The move is seen as a potential step towards resolving the conflict between Israel and Hamas and facilitating aid delivery to Gaza. While the EU has long advocated for a ceasefire, its influence over Israel has been limited. The crossing has become a point of contention between Israel and Palestinian authorities, as well as Egypt, following its closure by Israeli forces in May.

The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has captured a strategic corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border to cut off Hamas’s smuggling tunnels, as part of its ongoing offensive against the militant group. According to IDF military chief spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the Philadelphi Corridor is a vital route for Hamas to transport weapons into the Gaza Strip. Egypt has been notified of the takeover, although state-run Al-Qahera News TV denies any communication with Israel. The IDF has increased its military presence in the Rafah area, where a fifth brigade has been deployed. The United Nations estimates that one million people have been displaced due to the attacks in Rafah.

After intense scrutiny, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claims responsibility for targeted strikes in Rafah, eliminating senior Hamas terrorists. However, IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari acknowledges that an unforeseen chain of events led to a devastating fire within a crowded tent camp, resulting in civilian casualties. The investigation focuses on potential factors such as stored weapons in the vicinity and the impact of Hamas’ ammunition warehouse explosion. Despite international outcry and concerns about a possible ground incursion, US officials maintain their opposition to such an operation. Residents of Rafah report Israeli tank incursions, prompting confrontations with Hamas and Islamic Jihad forces.

Israeli forces have escalated their offensive in southern Gaza, resulting in at least 37 deaths. The majority of casualties were civilians seeking shelter in tents outside the city of Rafah. The incident has sparked international condemnation, with several countries recognizing the Palestinian state as Israel’s isolation deepens. The UN Security Council is considering a draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Rough weather caused the structure to break apart, with two of the stabilizing vessels ending up on a beach in Israel. The pier had been operational for barely a week before the damage occurred, and none of the aid transferred to Gaza had been delivered to Palestinians. Meanwhile, Israel conducted a sizable operation in Rafah, with tanks rolling into the heart of the city for the first time since the war began.

The global community has rallied in support of the Palestinian population in Rafah, Gaza, in the wake of ongoing Israeli airstrikes. Despite international condemnation and a ruling by the International Court of Justice demanding a halt to military operations, Israel continues to launch attacks in the region. Spain, Ireland, and Norway have symbolically recognized a Palestinian state, while Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have denounced Israel’s actions as massacres and violations of international law. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reports that over a million Palestinians have sought shelter and are facing deplorable living conditions amidst the escalating violence.

Israeli forces continued their offensive in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, destroying residential areas in the Jabalia refugee camp with tank and air bombardments. Airstrikes also killed at least five people in the southern city of Rafah. The ongoing military operation, which began nearly two weeks ago, has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes and disrupted aid deliveries, raising concerns about famine.

The Biden administration has paused weapons shipments to Israel due to concerns over a potential full-scale invasion of Rafah, the last city in Gaza to be spared from Israeli airstrikes. The U.S. has offered intelligence and supplies to Israel in exchange for scaling back the invasion, which could lead to significant civilian casualties.

President Biden has pledged to withhold offensive weapons from Israel if it invades the southern Gaza city of Rafah, drawing bipartisan backlash. While Biden continues to support defensive systems like the Iron Dome, the administration has quietly approved weapons sales to several Middle Eastern nations, including Lebanon, Iraq, and Qatar, which have been accused of supporting anti-Israel groups. Despite Lebanon’s ongoing boycott of Israel, the State Department argues that the sanctions waiver is in the national interest for stability and counterterrorism efforts. Similarly, Yemen’s waiver is justified for tackling regional threats posed by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Qatar’s waiver is attributed to the importance of its bilateral relationship for regional security and ongoing cease-fire negotiations.

President Joe Biden has warned Israel that he will stop supplying weapons if they attempt to invade Rafah, Hamas’ last stronghold in Gaza. Biden emphasized the need to avoid targeting population centers and stressed the importance of maintaining relations with Egypt. While the US will continue to provide defensive systems like Iron Dome, Biden has drawn a red line against any actions that pose a direct threat to civilians.