TEL AVIV, Israel. The Israeli military revealed on Wednesday its intention to redirect a substantial portion of the 1.4 million displaced Palestinians residing in Rafah, the southernmost town of the Gaza Strip, towards designated “humanitarian islands” within the territory in preparation for an upcoming offensive in the area.
The fate of the inhabitants of Rafah has become a focal point of concern for Israel’s allies, including the United States, as well as humanitarian organizations, fearing the potential humanitarian crisis that could arise from an offensive in an area densely populated with displaced individuals. Rafah serves as Gaza’s primary entry point for crucial humanitarian aid.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized the necessity of an offensive in Rafah to achieve Israel’s objective of dismantling Hamas, particularly following the militants’ October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, with around 250 individuals taken hostage and brought into Gaza. According to Gaza health officials, Israel’s incursion into Gaza has resulted in over 31,000 casualties, leaving much of the territory in ruins and displacing approximately 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, Israel’s chief military spokesman, outlined the military’s strategy of relocating Rafah’s inhabitants to specified areas, a process he stated would be conducted in collaboration with international partners. This initiative is deemed crucial in the military’s preparations for the anticipated invasion of Rafah, where Hamas is reported to maintain four battalions targeted for destruction by Israel.
Rafah’s population has surged in recent months as Palestinians in Gaza fled conflict across various parts of the territory, resulting in the proliferation of tents throughout the town.
“We need to make sure that 1.4 million people or at least a significant amount of the 1.4 million will move. Where? To humanitarian islands that we will create with the international community,” Hagari briefed reporters.
The proposed islands aim to provide temporary shelter, sustenance, and other essentials to evacuated Palestinians. However, Hagari did not specify the timeline for Rafah’s evacuation or the commencement of the offensive, stressing the importance of operational readiness and coordination with neighboring Egypt, which has expressed reluctance to accommodate an influx of displaced Palestinians across its border.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized Washington’s concerns regarding Rafah, urging Israel to present a plan ensuring the safety of civilians in the event of a military operation.
“We need to see a plan that will get civilians out of harm’s way if there’s a military operation in Rafah,” Blinken stated after a virtual ministerial meeting on Gaza aid.
As tensions persist, casualties continue to mount, with an Israeli strike targeting a food distribution site in southern Gaza operated by UNRWA, resulting in the death of one UNRWA staff member and injuring 22 others. Gaza’s health authorities reported a total of five fatalities in the strike on the UNRWA warehouse.
The Israeli military indicated that it would investigate the incident further amidst ongoing hostilities across Gaza.
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.
