Arrr! Netanyahu be plannin' to whisk away them landlubbers from the mighty Gaza city afore a fearsome invasion be upon us, mateys!
2024-02-09
Avast ye scurvy dogs! The bold and mighty Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, be proclaimin' to abandon the fine city o' Rafah in the southern lands o' Gaza. 'Tis a place brimmin' with 1.4 million souls, me hearties!
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to prepare a plan to evacuate civilians from Rafah, a southern Gaza city, ahead of an expected Israeli invasion. This announcement comes after heavy international criticism of Israeli intentions to move ground forces into the city. Rafah, which had a prewar population of roughly 280,000, is now home to an additional 1.4 million people who have fled fighting elsewhere in Gaza. Israel claims that Rafah is the last remaining Hamas stronghold in Gaza after months of war.Netanyahu's office stated that leaving four Hamas battalions in Rafah would make it impossible to achieve the goal of eliminating Hamas. Therefore, civilians must evacuate the combat areas. The plan includes both a mass evacuation of civilians and the destruction of Hamas' forces in the town. However, the operation will face challenges, as it remains unclear where civilians can go, and widespread destruction has left many without homes to return to.
International criticism of Israel's conduct in the war has grown, with U.S. President Joe Biden calling it "over the top." The State Department warned that an invasion of Rafah would be a disaster. Egypt has also expressed concerns about movement across the border into their territory.
Aid agency officials have warned about the humanitarian consequences of a Rafah offensive, as the remaining hospitals, shelters, markets, and water systems in Gaza are crucial for survival. With the war now in its fifth month, Israeli ground forces are still focusing on the city of Khan Younis but have repeatedly stated that Rafah will be next, causing panic among the displaced population.
Overnight airstrikes have continued, causing further civilian casualties. The war has taken a toll on the Palestinian population, with thousands dead and wounded, and a quarter of the population facing starvation. Biden continues to work towards a ceasefire, while Netanyahu rejects Hamas' demands for a hostage deal. The war goals appear increasingly elusive, as Hamas reemerges in parts of northern Gaza, which has seen significant destruction.