Netanyahu Orders Plan to Evacuate 1M+ from Rafah Ahead of Offensive

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the nation’s military to prepare for the evacuation of residents from Rafah, in anticipation of a ground operation in this southern city of Gaza. This directive was announced through a statement from his office on Friday.

Rafah, home to over 1.3 million people, many of whom have been displaced from other areas within Gaza, stands as a critical zone according to the United Nations. Netanyahu’s announcement highlights Rafah as a significant stronghold of Hamas that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) plan to target imminently.

As the IDF’s offensive moves further south, Rafah has become a refuge for many Palestinians fleeing the conflict. However, with the city’s proximity to a sealed Egyptian border, the options for further escape are severely limited.

The Israeli Prime Minister has clarified that the military objective to dismantle Hamas cannot be achieved without addressing the presence of Hamas battalions in Rafah. This operation necessitates the relocation of civilians from areas of combat, leading to Netanyahu’s directive for a plan encompassing both evacuation and military action against Hamas.

Rafah remains the largest area in Gaza not yet occupied by the IDF but has seen a significant increase in displaced populations, with satellite imagery capturing the rapid expansion of makeshift tent cities as residents seek safety.

The plan for military escalation in Rafah has drawn criticism from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s office, warning of the dire implications of such actions. Residents of Rafah have expressed fear and uncertainty about their future, with many lacking alternatives for safety and basic necessities.

On the military front, Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfuss, leading the IDF’s operations in southern Gaza, indicated that a specific plan to minimize civilian casualties in Rafah had not yet been established, awaiting further orders.

The United States has expressed concerns over the potential operation in Rafah, emphasizing the need for careful planning to avoid catastrophic outcomes. President Joe Biden has also criticized the intensity of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, advocating for increased humanitarian assistance to the region.

The UN and humanitarian organizations like the Norwegian Refugee Council have voiced deep concerns for the civilian population in Rafah, stressing the importance of protecting civilians and cautioning against forced mass displacements.