More than 1 million Palestinians, trapped in and around Rafah, are preparing for Israel to finalize its evacuation plan and initiate a ground assault on Hamas militants in the southern Gaza city.
Numerous aid agencies have cautioned that a significant number of civilians may lose their lives during the Israeli offensive. Additionally, the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency expressed uncertainty about the duration it can continue operating under such perilous circumstances.
Palestinians Prepare Amid Israeli Assault Threat
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UNRWA agency, expressed concern about the increasing anxiety and panic in Rafah. He mentioned that the people are unsure about their next steps and have no direction to turn to.
In response to the situation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has instructed the military to devise a plan to evacuate the population and dismantle four Hamas battalions stationed in Rafah. The statement emphasized that Israel cannot successfully eliminate the Gaza Strip’s Islamist militants as long as these units continue to operate.
The release of hostages held by the Palestinian militants was included in the new tab, as stated in the issued statement. However, no additional information was provided.
The primary backer of Israel, Washington, stated that it would not support an attack that failed to safeguard civilians. Furthermore, the United States had informed Israel about a fresh U.S. national security memorandum, which serves as a reminder to countries receiving U.S. arms to abide by international law.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre informed reporters that the memo does not introduce any novel criteria. She clarified that there are no new standards for military aid being imposed. Additionally, she mentioned that Israel had reaffirmed its readiness to offer the necessary assurances.
Over a million individuals have been displaced towards the southern region due to over four months of continuous Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. These individuals have sought refuge in Rafah and its neighboring areas along the border with Egypt. In response to the situation, Egypt has strengthened its border, anticipating a potential mass migration.
Prompt: Rewrite differently this text: Doctors and aid workers are struggling to supply even basic aid to Palestinians sheltering around Rafah. Many are trapped against a border fence with Egypt and living in makeshift tents.
Version 1: The provision of essential aid to Palestinians seeking refuge in the vicinity of Rafah is proving to be a formidable challenge for doctors and aid workers. Numerous individuals find themselves confined near a border fence with Egypt, residing in temporary tents.
The office of Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority, expressed concern that this action poses a threat to security and peace in the region and globally. It is a clear violation of established boundaries and principles.
Meanwhile, an unnamed Israeli official stated that efforts would be made to relocate the residents of Rafah, many of whom had sought refuge from the northern areas, back to their original homes in preparation for a potential attack.
According to the health ministry in Gaza, the number of confirmed Palestinian casualties stands at 27,947, with 67,459 individuals injured. It is possible that additional victims remain trapped under the debris.
According to Israeli tallies, around 1,200 individuals were killed and 253 hostages were taken by Hamas gunmen during the Oct. 7 incursion into southern Israel.
Initial U.N. data, based on arm measurements indicating physical wasting, reveals that nearly one in 10 children under the age of five in Gaza are currently suffering from acute malnutrition.
ActionAid, a charitable organization, reported that some residents of Gaza have resorted to consuming grass due to the dire circumstances.
“It is alarming that every single person in Gaza is now experiencing hunger, with only 1.5 to 2 liters of unsafe water available per day to fulfill all their needs,” the organization stated.