Israel Begins Evacuating Civilians from Rafah
Seven months into its offensive against Hamas, Israel has begun evacuating Palestinian civilians from Rafah, a southern city in Gaza. The Israeli military has stated that Rafah harbors thousands of Hamas fighters and that victory is impossible without taking the city. However, the prospect of a high-casualty operation in Rafah, where over a million displaced Palestinians are sheltering, worries Western powers and neighboring Egypt.
Evacuation Focused on Peripheral Districts
The Israeli military has begun evacuating Palestinian civilians from Rafah, focusing on a few peripheral districts. Evacuees are being directed to tent cities in nearby Khan Younis and Al Muwassi. The military has called on Palestinians in eastern parts of Rafah to move to a nearby "humanitarian area." This move appears to be the beginning of a civilian evacuation ahead of a potential ground assault.
Concerns Over High-Casualty Operation
The prospect of a high-casualty operation in Rafah worries Western powers and neighboring Egypt. With over a million displaced Palestinians sheltering in the city, the potential for civilian casualties is high. This has raised concerns about the humanitarian consequences of a ground assault.