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In one of the largest instances of mass displacement during the ongoing conflict, hundreds of thousands of Gazans sought shelter on Thursday as Israeli forces intensified their operations, moving into the devastated city of Rafah. This action is part of a newly declared “security zone” that the Israeli military aims to control.
Following an announcement the previous day regarding their intentions to capture significant portions of the densely populated enclave, Israeli troops advanced into Rafah, which had become a refuge for many fleeing from other areas amid the escalating violence.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli airstrikes within the past 24 hours resulted in at least 97 fatalities, including approximately 20 who died in an early morning attack in the Shuja’iyya neighborhood of Gaza City. Later strikes reported on Thursday targeted a school serving as a shelter in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 individuals, including women and children.
Healthcare officials confirmed that three missiles struck the Dar Al-Arqam school in the Tuffah area, while the Israeli military claimed the attack was on a command post allegedly being used by militants for operations against Israeli forces. However, no proof was provided to substantiate this claim.
“Rafah is being annihilated; it is gone,” a father of seven who escaped Rafah for nearby Khan Younis expressed through a messaging app, wishing to remain anonymous due to concerns for his safety. “They are destroying whatever remains of our homes and possessions,” he lamented.
Following a strike in Khan Younis that resulted in multiple casualties, resident Adel Abu Fakher assessed the damage to his tent, stating, “Is there anything left for us? We are being slaughtered even as we sleep.”
The operation to secure Rafah marks a significant escalation in the conflict, which reignited last month after a ceasefire that had been in effect since January was effectively abandoned.
Concerns Over Long-Term Displacement
The Israeli government has not clearly articulated its long-term objectives regarding the security zone being established. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned the area dubbed the “Morag Axis,” referring to a former Israeli settlement that once lay between Rafah and Khan Younis.
Many Gazans who had returned to their homes during the ceasefire are now being forced to evacuate from regions on both the northern and southern periphery of the Strip. Concerns are mounting that Israel’s strategy may involve the prolonged depopulation of these areas, potentially leaving countless individuals homeless in one of the most densely populated and impoverished regions globally. The proposed security zone includes some of Gaza’s last remaining agricultural lands and vital water resources.
Following the expiration of the first phase of the ceasefire at the beginning of March, Israel has implemented a complete blockade on goods entering Gaza, which humanitarian organizations describe as creating a dire humanitarian crisis after weeks of relative calm.
Since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023, triggered by a Hamas-led assault that reportedly killed 1,200 people and resulted in over 250 hostages, Israeli authorities have stated that the elimination of Hamas remains their primary objective. Nevertheless, the absence of plans for an alternative governing authority has seen the return of Hamas to the streets during intermittent ceasefires. Currently, militants hold a combination of hostages, which Israeli officials state must be released for any potential extension of the truce, while Hamas insists it will only consider ending the fighting under specific conditions.
Recent protests in Gaza against Hamas, evidenced by demonstrations in Beit Lahiya where participants demanded an end to the conflict and called for the militant group to relinquish power, have been noted by Israeli leadership, who perceive them as signs of dissent. However, Hamas has accused the protesters of colluding with Israel, suggesting an orchestrated effort against its rule.
Evacuation Orders in Rafah
Residents of Rafah indicate that the vast majority have complied with Israeli evacuation orders as airstrikes have brought down structures throughout the city. However, attacks on the main road connecting Khan Younis and Rafah have hindered movement between the two areas.
Traffic along the western coastal road near Morag has also been impeded due to ongoing bombardments. “Some have opted to stay because they are uncertain about where to go or are worn out from repeated displacements. We worry about their safety or the possibility of detention,” shared Basem, a local resident who chose not to disclose his last name.
WATCH | Continuing Israeli airstrikes prompt agencies to limit operations:
Israeli airstrikes damage hospital, including fatalities in Gaza
Palestinian health authorities reported that Israeli strikes caused significant damage to Nasser Hospital, resulting in at least 65 deaths within just one day. The relentless assault has forced some aid organizations to curtail their operations in the area.
Amid the blockade, local markets have been deserted, and prices for essential goods have skyrocketed. The Palestinian Health Ministry, while operating from the Israeli-occupied West Bank, cautioned that Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure is nearing collapse, amplifying the desperate situation facing its inhabitants.
Source
www.cbc.ca