UN: Palestinians Fleeing Rafah Amidst Intensified Israeli Airstrikes

In response to escalating Israeli airstrikes and the anticipation of a ground offensive, displaced individuals in Gaza’s Rafah are seeking refuge towards Deir al Balah in the north. This movement is prompted by intensified military actions in Rafah, which is densely populated, housing over half of Gaza’s population in a relatively small area. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs highlighted this exodus amid talks of an Israeli ground operation.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benny Gantz, now a member of the war cabinet, emphasized Israel’s determination to continue its military efforts to ensure the return of all hostages, indicating operations might extend through Ramadan. He mentioned that Israel is gearing up for a ground incursion in Gaza, planning to relocate residents to safer zones in coordination with Egypt.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reassured that there are no plans to force Palestinians from Rafah into Egypt during the upcoming military actions targeting what Israel identifies as a critical Hamas base. While specifics of the evacuation strategy were not disclosed, Gallant confirmed meticulous preparations for operations in Rafah, underscoring the strategic importance of the location to Hamas. Israeli authorities are reportedly devising a plan to safely evacuate civilians from Rafah before commencing the offensive, though detailed plans have yet to be made public.