Israeli army has initiated the evacuation of citizens living east of Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, urging them to move to the Al-Mawasi area in anticipation of an imminent invasion, Roya News reported.
Reports from Israeli Occupation Army Radio said that leaflets were being distributed in the border-adjacent areas east of Rafah, urging residents to show cooperation as preparations for the operation are underway. The radio further indicated that a limited evacuation is planned from neighborhoods where approximately 100,000 citizens reside. The evacuation destinations are the camps in Khan Yunis and Al-Mawasi.
The announcement of this evacuation follows a series of airstrikes targeting 12 homes in Rafah, resulting in the deaths of 22 citizens and injuring dozens more. Israeli Occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently stated that Israeli Occupation would proceed with an attack on Rafah regardless of any potential ceasefire deal, defying international warnings and American objections.
Rafah, with a population exceeding 1.7 million Palestinians, is one of the most densely populated areas, indicating the grave human toll a military operation in the region could exact. The decision to initiate the evacuation was made in a recent cabinet session, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant informing US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken about the impending move. Gallant conveyed to Blinken that Hamas' rejection of any proposed deal necessitated action in Rafah.
Hamas previously announced it "insists on a final ceasefire in Gaza and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces." Husam Badran, a member of Hamas' political bureau, stated, "Netanyahu has been an obstacle in previous rounds of dialogue, and it's clear he still is, showing no interest in reaching an agreement." This move raises significant concerns over the escalation of violence and its impact on civilians in the already strife-torn region.
ZH
