TEL AVIV. Israel’s Defense Minister announced on Friday that the country is intensively strategizing a military offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, despite mounting international apprehensions regarding the safety of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians residing there.
Amid calls from various world leaders for restraint and prioritizing civilian protection, U.S. President Joe Biden urged Israel to refrain from launching the operation without a comprehensive plan to safeguard civilians, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire. Egypt, too, expressed concerns, warning that such an operation could strain diplomatic relations between the nations.
Rafah, currently home to an estimated 1.4 million Palestinians, has become a densely populated area with many displaced individuals seeking refuge from conflict elsewhere in Gaza. The dire situation has led to the establishment of sprawling tent camps to accommodate the influx of people.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant addressed reporters, asserting that Israel aims to target Rafah as the next stronghold of Hamas, the militant group in control of the Gaza Strip. He emphasized meticulous planning for future operations in the area but refrained from specifying a timeline, citing the necessity of developing evacuation plans for civilians.
Critics, including Palestinians and international aid agencies, argue that there are no safe havens in Gaza, as Israeli strikes have hit areas previously designated as shelters for civilians, including Rafah.
The ongoing conflict began in response to a cross-border Hamas attack on October 7, resulting in casualties and hostage-taking in Israel. Since then, the Israeli offensive has reportedly led to significant casualties among Palestinians, widespread destruction, and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Concerns have been raised about the potential displacement of Palestinians into Egypt, which could jeopardize the 1979 peace agreement between Israel and Egypt. Despite speculation, Gallant asserted that Israel has no plans to evacuate Palestinian civilians to Egypt, highlighting the importance of maintaining stability in the region.
Meanwhile, satellite images indicate preparations by Egypt for a potential influx of refugees from Gaza, though Egyptian officials have not commented on the matter.
The Israeli offensive has escalated in recent weeks, focusing on Khan Younis, the second-largest city in Gaza and another Hamas stronghold. Palestinian health officials reported casualties following Israeli raids, including the deaths of patients due to a shortage of oxygen in a hospital.
In a separate incident on Friday, a Palestinian assailant opened fire at a bus stop in southern Israel, resulting in casualties before being shot dead by a bystander. No immediate claim of responsibility was made for the attack.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
