🇮🇱 🇵🇸 #Israeli Invasion of #Rafah Imminent:
The #IDF has began dropping leaflets on eastern areas of Rafah, #Palestine, and published maps online ordering civilians within the area to evacuate. The map shows red zones within Rafah, and areas within Gaza that civilians are to evacuate to in order to escape an impending invasion.
Israeli Minister of Defence, Yoav Gallant, reportedly held an overnight phone conversation with the #UnitedStates Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, in which he stated that #Israel had “no choice” but to invade Rafah. The US has stated on multiple occasions that they are opposed to the invasion. US and Israeli officials have clashed on the issue on multiple occasions.
There is no definitive time that the invasion will begin, however Israeli strikes on areas in and around Rafah have been increasing lately, and with evacuations beginning, it is likely to be soon. Several weeks ago Netanyahu stated he had set a date for the invasion.
The Israeli ground invasion of Rafah has been on the horizon for many weeks now. While Israel has remained insistent that it is a necessity, many different nations, including many traditional Israeli allies, have condemned the prospect.
Rafah, which lies in the very south of Gaza, was previously established earlier in the war by Israel to be a safe zone. As such, it has become host to approximately 1.4 million people; over half of Gaza’s population.
Additionally, Rafah is a key basing ground for humanitarian operations in Gaza. It is situated on the Egypt/Gaza border, and is the primary entry point for trucks entering Gaza. It is further host to a number of UNRWA camps. The UNRWA, as well as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, have stated an Israeli operation in Rafah would be the “nail in the coffin” for humanitarian operations in Gaza, which were already severely harmed.
Israel has stated that the operation is necessary in order to destroy Hamas’ last remaining battalions. Netanyahu has claimed there are approximately four battalions left in Gaza, numbering thousands of militants. Furthermore, Israel believes many of the remaining approximately 130 hostages (of which, over 30 are believed to have died) are being held within Rafah.
The operation has been controversial due to the extremely high civilian presence within Gaza, as well as the effect an operation is sure to have upon humanitarian operations. The US, among others, have claimed that the operation would be too costly in civilian lives.
It is unclear how effective evacuations will be in getting civilians out of harms way. Previously, in other evacuations, some civilians chose not to evacuate due to attacks and bombings ongoing on supposed evacuation routes, as well as within ‘safe zones’.
The invasion also notably comes after Israel refused to send a delegation to ongoing hostage/ceasefire negotiations in Cairo, Egypt. Israel had initially refused to send a delegation until Hamas gave an answer concerning a temporary ceasefire proposal they had made.
A Hamas official reportedly stated that they were “close” to reaching a hostage deal, however the evacuation, and impending invasion, would cause hostage deal negotiations to cease.
It is unlikely that the two were close to securing a deal, however. Israel and Hamas have presented a series of absolutes in their negotiations, absolutes which the other side has determined unacceptable.
Most prominently, Hamas is seeking a permanent ceasefire, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Israel, on the other hand, is seeking only a temporary ceasefire, after which they will continue the war in order to “destroy Hamas.”
Negotiations have been ongoing for many weeks, without any meaningful ground being made.
At least 34,735 Palestinians have been killed and 78,108 injured in Israel's military offensive on Gaza, the enclave's health ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Via theatlasnews.co
The #IDF has began dropping leaflets on eastern areas of Rafah, #Palestine, and published maps online ordering civilians within the area to evacuate. The map shows red zones within Rafah, and areas within Gaza that civilians are to evacuate to in order to escape an impending invasion.
Israeli Minister of Defence, Yoav Gallant, reportedly held an overnight phone conversation with the #UnitedStates Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, in which he stated that #Israel had “no choice” but to invade Rafah. The US has stated on multiple occasions that they are opposed to the invasion. US and Israeli officials have clashed on the issue on multiple occasions.
There is no definitive time that the invasion will begin, however Israeli strikes on areas in and around Rafah have been increasing lately, and with evacuations beginning, it is likely to be soon. Several weeks ago Netanyahu stated he had set a date for the invasion.
The Israeli ground invasion of Rafah has been on the horizon for many weeks now. While Israel has remained insistent that it is a necessity, many different nations, including many traditional Israeli allies, have condemned the prospect.
Rafah, which lies in the very south of Gaza, was previously established earlier in the war by Israel to be a safe zone. As such, it has become host to approximately 1.4 million people; over half of Gaza’s population.
Additionally, Rafah is a key basing ground for humanitarian operations in Gaza. It is situated on the Egypt/Gaza border, and is the primary entry point for trucks entering Gaza. It is further host to a number of UNRWA camps. The UNRWA, as well as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, have stated an Israeli operation in Rafah would be the “nail in the coffin” for humanitarian operations in Gaza, which were already severely harmed.
Israel has stated that the operation is necessary in order to destroy Hamas’ last remaining battalions. Netanyahu has claimed there are approximately four battalions left in Gaza, numbering thousands of militants. Furthermore, Israel believes many of the remaining approximately 130 hostages (of which, over 30 are believed to have died) are being held within Rafah.
The operation has been controversial due to the extremely high civilian presence within Gaza, as well as the effect an operation is sure to have upon humanitarian operations. The US, among others, have claimed that the operation would be too costly in civilian lives.
It is unclear how effective evacuations will be in getting civilians out of harms way. Previously, in other evacuations, some civilians chose not to evacuate due to attacks and bombings ongoing on supposed evacuation routes, as well as within ‘safe zones’.
The invasion also notably comes after Israel refused to send a delegation to ongoing hostage/ceasefire negotiations in Cairo, Egypt. Israel had initially refused to send a delegation until Hamas gave an answer concerning a temporary ceasefire proposal they had made.
A Hamas official reportedly stated that they were “close” to reaching a hostage deal, however the evacuation, and impending invasion, would cause hostage deal negotiations to cease.
It is unlikely that the two were close to securing a deal, however. Israel and Hamas have presented a series of absolutes in their negotiations, absolutes which the other side has determined unacceptable.
Most prominently, Hamas is seeking a permanent ceasefire, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Israel, on the other hand, is seeking only a temporary ceasefire, after which they will continue the war in order to “destroy Hamas.”
Negotiations have been ongoing for many weeks, without any meaningful ground being made.
At least 34,735 Palestinians have been killed and 78,108 injured in Israel's military offensive on Gaza, the enclave's health ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Via theatlasnews.co
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🇮🇱 🇵🇸 #BREAKING Israeli Forces Targeting Rafah Border Crossings, Gunfire Exchanged
#Israel's military forces, according to reports by Al-Arabiya that quote reporters and eyewitnesses, have begun launching artillery and air attacks by plane upon the #Rafah and Kerem Abu Salem border crossings into #Gaza, #Palestine, close to the Egyptian border. Air attacks on neighborhoods near the area have been reported as well. Additionally reported is that #IDF armored vehicles are deployed in the area around the crossings and are also targeting buildings with shells. Heavy gunfire and “violent clashes” east of Rafah are also reported by Al-Arabiya correspondents as well as Al-Qahera News who also captured video of the start of exchanges.
This is likely the beginning of an IDF offensive to capture territory so as to cut off crossings into Egypt and then begin a push northeast into Rafah. Via theatlasnews.co
#Israel's military forces, according to reports by Al-Arabiya that quote reporters and eyewitnesses, have begun launching artillery and air attacks by plane upon the #Rafah and Kerem Abu Salem border crossings into #Gaza, #Palestine, close to the Egyptian border. Air attacks on neighborhoods near the area have been reported as well. Additionally reported is that #IDF armored vehicles are deployed in the area around the crossings and are also targeting buildings with shells. Heavy gunfire and “violent clashes” east of Rafah are also reported by Al-Arabiya correspondents as well as Al-Qahera News who also captured video of the start of exchanges.
This is likely the beginning of an IDF offensive to capture territory so as to cut off crossings into Egypt and then begin a push northeast into Rafah. Via theatlasnews.co
🇮🇱 🇵🇸 #NEW #Israel's war cabinet has unanimously approved expanding combat operations in #Rafah, setting the stage for a full ground assault into the city. The IDF said four of their soldiers were killed today and that scores of Hamas and PIJ militants were killed in Rafah.
Heavy artillery and gunfire continued from Thursday to Friday, say AP correspondents.
This comes as Israeli forces began ground operations over the past several days to secure the Rafah border crossing between #Egypt and #Palestine and set up positions along the eastern outskirts of the city amid continued calls of civilian evacuations.
Meanwhile, airstrikes have been underway across the area against what the IDF has described as “terrorist infrastructure,”, civilian casualties have also been reported in these strikes. Via theatlasnews.co
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Over a million Palestinians previously have fled to Rafah to escape fighting elsewhere, with many packed into U.N.-run shelters or squalid tent camps. The city on the border with Egypt and is a crucial hub for bringing in food, medicine, fuel, and other goods.
The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says about 110,000 people have fled Rafah and that food and fuel supplies in the city are critically low. Georgios Petropoulos, an OCHA official working in Rafah, said the two main crossings near the city remain closed, cutting off supplies, medical evacuations, and the movement of humanitarian staff.
The U.N.'s World Food Program will run out of food for southern Gaza by Saturday he said, adding that 30,000 people were leaving Rafah daily in search of safety, but that humanitarian workers had no supplies to help them set up camp in a new place. “We simply have no tents, we have no blankets, no bedding, none of the items that you would expect a population on the move to be able to get from the humanitarian system,”
Rafah was the main point of entry for fuel for vehicles, as well as the generators on which hospitals and water treatment plants rely. Via AP.
@AtlasNewsTelegram
Heavy artillery and gunfire continued from Thursday to Friday, say AP correspondents.
This comes as Israeli forces began ground operations over the past several days to secure the Rafah border crossing between #Egypt and #Palestine and set up positions along the eastern outskirts of the city amid continued calls of civilian evacuations.
Meanwhile, airstrikes have been underway across the area against what the IDF has described as “terrorist infrastructure,”, civilian casualties have also been reported in these strikes. Via theatlasnews.co
---
Over a million Palestinians previously have fled to Rafah to escape fighting elsewhere, with many packed into U.N.-run shelters or squalid tent camps. The city on the border with Egypt and is a crucial hub for bringing in food, medicine, fuel, and other goods.
The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says about 110,000 people have fled Rafah and that food and fuel supplies in the city are critically low. Georgios Petropoulos, an OCHA official working in Rafah, said the two main crossings near the city remain closed, cutting off supplies, medical evacuations, and the movement of humanitarian staff.
The U.N.'s World Food Program will run out of food for southern Gaza by Saturday he said, adding that 30,000 people were leaving Rafah daily in search of safety, but that humanitarian workers had no supplies to help them set up camp in a new place. “We simply have no tents, we have no blankets, no bedding, none of the items that you would expect a population on the move to be able to get from the humanitarian system,”
Rafah was the main point of entry for fuel for vehicles, as well as the generators on which hospitals and water treatment plants rely. Via AP.
@AtlasNewsTelegram
🇵🇸 The Palestinian Ministry of Health earlier this morning in #Gaza has released a statement claiming that the healthcare system within Gaza, #Palestine, is only “hours away” from a complete collapse due to a supreme lack of fuel needed to run the generators the hospitals are running on.
The collapse comes just a few days after #Israel seized the #Rafah border crossing, the primary entry point of aid into Gaza (including fuel trucks), which has closed the crossing to all aid.
The same day Israel seized the crossing, May 7th, yet another of Gaza’s hospitals, the Abu Youssef al-Najjar hospital, shut down as patients and staff were forced to evacuate due to Israeli operations beginning in Rafah.
The shut down of al-Najjar left just 11 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals partially functioning, with none fully functioning. The severance of aid appears to be about to diminish that number even further. Via theatlasnews.co
@AtlasNewsTelegram
The collapse comes just a few days after #Israel seized the #Rafah border crossing, the primary entry point of aid into Gaza (including fuel trucks), which has closed the crossing to all aid.
The same day Israel seized the crossing, May 7th, yet another of Gaza’s hospitals, the Abu Youssef al-Najjar hospital, shut down as patients and staff were forced to evacuate due to Israeli operations beginning in Rafah.
The shut down of al-Najjar left just 11 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals partially functioning, with none fully functioning. The severance of aid appears to be about to diminish that number even further. Via theatlasnews.co
@AtlasNewsTelegram
🇮🇱 🇵🇸 #ICJ Orders Israel to Halt #Rafah Operation, #Israel Refuses:
In an expected announcement, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to halt its operation in Rafah, #Palestine. The ICJ claimed that the humanitarian situation in Rafah has “deteriorated further” and that Israeli measures to protect civilians have failed. The ICJ also ordered Israel to respond to these demands and show compliance within one month.
In response, Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir called for the “occupation” of Rafah and to increase military pressure in response to the ICJ order.
This order comes after the International Criminal Court (ICC) applied for arrest warrants for both Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas leader Sinwar.
While the ICC is independent of the UN, the ICJ is an organ of the UN and has considerably more power amongst international disputes than the ICC, which issues criminal court proceedings. All nations are party to the ICJ if they are members of the UN. However, as the U.S. demonstrated that after the ICJ ruling against its Nicaragua War, nations can withdraw compulsory jurisdiction in cases involving them if they do not agree. Via theatlasnews.co
@AtlasNewsTelegram
In an expected announcement, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to halt its operation in Rafah, #Palestine. The ICJ claimed that the humanitarian situation in Rafah has “deteriorated further” and that Israeli measures to protect civilians have failed. The ICJ also ordered Israel to respond to these demands and show compliance within one month.
In response, Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir called for the “occupation” of Rafah and to increase military pressure in response to the ICJ order.
This order comes after the International Criminal Court (ICC) applied for arrest warrants for both Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas leader Sinwar.
While the ICC is independent of the UN, the ICJ is an organ of the UN and has considerably more power amongst international disputes than the ICC, which issues criminal court proceedings. All nations are party to the ICJ if they are members of the UN. However, as the U.S. demonstrated that after the ICJ ruling against its Nicaragua War, nations can withdraw compulsory jurisdiction in cases involving them if they do not agree. Via theatlasnews.co
@AtlasNewsTelegram
🇸🇩🇮🇱 Photo and Footage Analysis: #Rafah Strike: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/05/27/photo-and-footage-analysis-rafah-strike/ @AtlasNewsTelegram
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Photo and Footage Analysis: Rafah Strike | Atlas News