Israel is preparing for a massive ground operation inside Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where 1.5 million Palestinians have taken shelter. The Israeli army has begun ordering tens of thousands of Palestinians to evacuate, signaling that a long-promised ground operation could be imminent. Israeli Defense Forces ordered the evacuation of Rafah, describing it as a significant Hamas stronghold that needs to be cleared to defeat the Islamic militant group. The decision to launch a ground operation came after Hamas terrorists carried out a deadly rocket attack from Rafah that left four Israeli soldiers dead, prompting Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to inform U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin of Israel’s intention to act.
Efforts by international mediators, including the CIA, to broker a cease-fire have failed, leading Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to vow to carry out a military operation in Rafah. Israel’s army has indicated that the operation will begin on a “limited scope.” Approximately 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate to a nearby humanitarian zone called Muwasi, with the Israeli army publishing a map of the evacuation area. Orders have been communicated through air-dropped leaflets, text messages, and radio broadcasts to ensure Palestinians receive the information. The army has also expanded humanitarian aid into Muwasi, including field hospitals, tents, food, and water.
The Israeli army has warned of acting with “extreme force” against Hamas terrorists and has urged the population to evacuate immediately for their safety. The Biden administration reportedly put a hold on a shipment of U.S.-manufactured ammunition to Israel following the deadly Hamas terror attack on October 7. This action left Israeli officials puzzled as they scrambled to understand the reasoning behind the hold. More than half of Gaza’s population, about 1.5 million Palestinians, are sheltering in Rafah, having been forced to evacuate other areas in the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant informed U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin of the necessity to act in Rafah after a deadly rocket attack from the city killed four Israeli soldiers. This attack served as a catalyst for the Israeli army’s decision to launch a ground operation after failed cease-fire negotiations by international mediators. Orders for tens of thousands of Palestinians to evacuate have been issued through various forms of communication, including air-dropped leaflets, text messages, and radio broadcasts. Israel is preparing a massive ground operation in Rafah, which has been described as the last significant Hamas stronghold that needs to be cleared to defeat the militant group.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to carry out a military operation in Rafah, with the Israeli army beginning with a “limited scope operation.” Approximately 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate to a nearby humanitarian zone called Muwasi, with the army providing assistance such as field hospitals, tents, food, and water. The army has warned of using “extreme force” against Hamas terrorists and has urged the population to evacuate immediately for their safety. The Biden administration reportedly halted a shipment of U.S.-manufactured ammunition to Israel following the Hamas terror attack, leaving Israeli officials seeking an explanation. Over half of Gaza’s population, around 1.5 million Palestinians, are sheltering in Rafah, having been compelled to evacuate other areas in the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
