The Israeli army has initiated the evacuation of around 100,000 Palestinians from eastern Rafah city in the south of the Gaza Strip in preparation for a ground assault. The Al Mawasi area has been expanded to accommodate evacuees, providing humanitarian aid such as field hospitals, tents, food, water, and medical supplies.
Residents in the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah have been urged to evacuate and head towards the “humanitarian zone” by the Israeli Army. The evacuation order is deemed “limited in scope” and temporary, aimed at ensuring the safety of civilians. Although the evacuation has not been explicitly linked to the planned land invasion of Rafah, residents are being told to comply for their safety.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized the need to dismantle Hamas forces operating in Rafah, indicating that the conflict will not end until this objective is achieved. Recent attacks by Hamas have resulted in casualties among Israeli soldiers, leading to heightened tensions in the region.
The UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees has raised concerns about the escalating violence and restrictions on humanitarian operations in Gaza. Incidents involving shooting at convoys, arrests of UN personnel, and delays at checkpoints have hindered relief efforts and exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region. Despite these challenges, efforts are ongoing to address the needs of the civilian population and mitigate the impact of