The Palestinian presidency has issued a warning concerning the potential onset of “genocide” in Rafah, as Israeli forces launched a significant assault on the city located in southern Gaza Strip, close to the Egyptian border.
This operation, described by the Israeli military as “limited in scope,” aims to evacuate over 100,000 people from the eastern parts of the city.
In an Arabic language flyer distributed on Monday morning in the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah, the Israeli military urged residents and displaced persons to evacuate immediately to a designated “humanitarian area” in Mawasi for their safety. The military emphasized the danger to life for those who choose to remain in the area.
Osama Al-Kahlout from the emergency operations room of the Gaza Red Crescent described the evacuation process as beginning on the ground but on a limited scale.
Citizens started evacuating amidst terror and panic, especially following the official announcement about the evacuation zones, currently home to about 250,000 people.
The Israeli military estimates the number of people directly affected by the evacuation order at around 100,000. Currently, approximately 1.2 million people reside in Rafah, many of them displaced, according to the World Health Organization.
While Rafah has been spared from the ground operations that commenced on October 27 in Gaza, it regularly faces aerial raids and artillery shelling.
In the midst of rain, some displaced individuals in Rafah began packing their belongings in preparation for the move.
Abdul Rahman Abu Jazar (36) expressed his uncertainty about where to go, noting that the Mawasi area is already overcrowded with displaced individuals and lacks adequate facilities like schools to accommodate thousands of people. He shared concerns about his family, including his aunt’s wife who requires dialysis at Al-Najjar Hospital, which is also within the evacuation zone.
Mohammad Al-Najjar (23), a lawyer, highlighted the cautious and watchful state of the citizens and displaced individuals fearing the entry of the Israeli military into the city and uncertain of their next destination.
He noted that the Gaza Strip has been depleted of all aspects and landmarks of life. Despite a glimmer of hope for successful negotiations and a ceasefire, the people are now in a state of confusion about whether to leave their homes or stay.
He pointed out that the area designated by the Israeli military is already densely populated and lacks space for setting up tents. He emphasized that people do not trust the military’s assurances of safety, asserting that there are no safe zones in Gaza from north to south and from east to west as long as there is an occupation.
The Israeli military stressed that the operation is part of their plans to dismantle Hamas, with reminders of their presence and capabilities in Rafah being violently reinforced on Sunday.
The Israeli military also reported the death of four soldiers and more than ten injuries in a rocket attack at the Kerem Shalom crossing with Gaza, stating that the rockets were fired from an area near Rafah.