Israel Orders New Evacuations in Gaza's Southern City of Rafah, Adding to Humanitarian Crisis

On a recent Saturday, Israel ordered new evacuations in Rafah, a southern city in Gaza, compelling tens of thousands of additional people to move to safety. This move comes as Israel gears up to expand its operation, extending into an area in northern Gaza where Hamas has reorganized. More than 110,000 individuals have evacuated Rafah, according to the United Nations, marking a doubling of the evacuation count in just the past few days. The eastern third of Rafah has now been evacuated, pushing the operation towards the outskirts of the densely populated central area. Despite this, Israel's foray into the city has fallen short of the full-scale invasion it had initially planned.

International Opposition and Criticism

This order has been issued in the face of significant international opposition and disapproval. U.S. President Joe Biden has firmly stated that offensive weapons will not be provided to Israel for Rafah. Furthermore, the U.S. has declared that there is "reasonable" evidence indicating Israel's breach of international law safeguarding civilians in the conduct of its war against Hamas. This is the strongest stance the Biden administration has taken on the matter thus far. The United Nations and other agencies have issued warnings for weeks about the potential humanitarian catastrophe that an Israeli assault on Rafah could trigger. This would significantly hamper humanitarian operations and lead to a catastrophic surge in civilian casualties.

Humanitarian Crisis

More than 1.4 million Palestinians, which accounts for half of Gaza's population, have sought refuge in Rafah, with the majority fleeing Israel's offensives in other areas. Given its status as the last refuge in the strip, the evacuations are compelling people to return north, where previous Israeli attacks have left areas devastated. Continuous displacement has left few options remaining in the embattled strip, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Impending Threats and Humanitarian Impact

Israel's military ordered Palestinians in the eastern part of Rafah to evacuate ahead of an anticipated ground offensive. The announcement was disseminated through various channels, prompting people to swiftly flee the area by any means available to them. However, humanitarian workers are struggling to assist them in setting up new locations, as they lack essential supplies such as tents, blankets, and bedding. The closure of the Rafah crossing has also had a significant impact, as it was the primary entry point for fuel. The World Food Program has cautioned that it will deplete its food reserves in southern Gaza imminently. In addition, fuel shortages are expected to force hospitals to suspend critical operations and impede the delivery of aid across south and central Gaza.

Escalating Conflicts

Heavy fighting has also erupted in northern Gaza, where Hamas has regrouped following previous assaults by Israel. The Israeli Army has urged Palestinians in specific cities and surrounding areas to seek shelter in the west of Gaza City, cautioning them about the imminent danger and the use of force by Israel. The United Nations agency supporting people in Gaza has revealed that around 300,000 individuals have been impacted by evacuation orders in Rafah and Jabaliya. However, the actual numbers could be higher, given that these are densely populated areas.

Humanitarian Safe Zones

Palestinians from Rafah are being relocated to what Israel has labeled as humanitarian safe zones along the Muwasi coastal strip in Gaza. Yet, with approximately 450,000 individuals already residing there, the conditions in these zones are dire, lacking basic facilities and suffering from overcrowding and unsanitary conditions.

Devastating Losses

Amidst ongoing strikes and ground offensives, the toll on civilian lives has been devastating, with reports of 19 people, including women and children, killed in strikes on central Gaza. Israeli bombardments and ground offensives in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of over 34,800 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. This grim situation is unfolding against the backdrop of mounting protests and international concern. As the crisis in Rafah and other parts of Gaza continues to escalate, urgent humanitarian assistance and diplomatic interventions are desperately needed to alleviate the deepening suffering of the civilian population.