Jerusalem. The Israeli army has told thousands of Palestinians to evacuate the southern Gaza city of Rafah. This indicates that there may be a ground attack there soon. The Israeli military's announcement has complicated last-ditch efforts by international mediators, including the CIA director, to broker a ceasefire. Hamas and key mediator Qatar have warned that the attack on Rafah could derail the talks. Israel has described Rafah as Hamas's last significant stronghold after seven months of war. Its leaders have repeatedly said they need to launch a ground offensive to defeat the Islamic militant group.
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said about 100,000 people were being ordered to move to nearby Muwasi, declared a humanitarian zone by Israel. He said Israel was preparing a limited-scope operation and would not say it was the beginning of a broader attack on the city. Israel did not formally announce the launch of a ground offensive until last October. However, the action started in response to the Hamas attack continues even today. Shoshani said Israel has published a map of the evacuation zone. Information about this is being given through leaflets dropped from the sky, text messages and radio broadcasts.
The Israeli army said on the social media platform 'X' on Monday that it will take action against the terrorists with great force. Israel's plan to attack Rafah has increased the world's concern, as it could harm more than one million Palestinian civilians taking refuge there. People have been asked to move to Muwasi, an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone near the coast, according to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces. The army said it had expanded assistance to the area, including hospitals, tents, food and water. This announcement has been made amid the ceasefire talks which are going through a delicate phase. There is a fear that Israel will soon launch a ground attack. Israel has expressed its resolve to eliminate the remaining Hamas terrorists.
On Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant claimed that Hamas is not serious about any agreement. He warned of a powerful operation in Rafah in the near future. His comments came after Hamas attacked Israel's main crossing point on Sunday, killing three soldiers. The move comes a day after Hamas militants launched a deadly rocket attack from the area. People in Rafah received leaflets written in Arabic on Monday morning detailing which neighborhood blocks needed to be abandoned and how far humanitarian zones extended. The leaflets said aid services would extend from Deir al-Balah in the north to the center of Khan Yunis city in the center of the Gaza Strip. Palestinians in Rafah said people gathered to discuss their options after receiving leaflets. Most of the people said that they do not want to go alone and prefer to travel in groups.
Disclaimer: CricketInFocus has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.
