In the midst of heightened tensions in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army has initiated an evacuation of around 100,000 Palestinians from eastern Rafah city. The World Health Organization estimates that about 1.2 million people reside in Rafah, with many fleeing from other areas due to ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants.
Residents in the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah have been urged to evacuate and head towards the “humanitarian zone” of Al Mawasi by the Israeli Army. The evacuation order, conveyed through posters, SMS messages, phone calls, and media broadcasts, is deemed “limited in scope” and temporary, aimed at ensuring the safety of civilians.
While the evacuation has not been explicitly linked to a planned land invasion of Rafah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized the need to dismantle Hamas forces operating in Rafah. Recent attacks by Hamas have resulted in casualties among Israeli soldiers, leading to heightened tensions in the region.
The UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees has raised concerns about escalating violence and restrictions on humanitarian operations in Gaza. Incidents involving shooting at convoys, arrests of UN personnel, and delays at checkpoints have hindered relief efforts and exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region. Despite these challenges, efforts are ongoing to address the needs of the civilian population and mitigate the impact of conflict.
