The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have launched a substantial new military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
The operation, which began late Monday, involves intense airstrikes and the deployment of ground troops. This decisive action comes in direct response to a barrage of Hamas rockets fired from the Rafah area towards the Kerem Shalom crossing, a critical aid entry point into Gaza, which resulted in the tragic deaths of four Israeli soldiers.
'Targeted Strikes Against Terror Targets'
In an official statement, the IDF confirmed the commencement of "precise, intelligence-based counterterrorism operations" in eastern Rafah. The military asserts it is targeting Hamas operatives and the organisation's extensive infrastructure embedded within the city.
Local reports from Gaza describe a night of heavy bombardment, with explosions lighting up the sky. The sound of intense gunfire between Israeli troops and Hamas militants has also been widely reported.
Evacuation Orders and Humanitarian Concerns
Prior to the offensive, the IDF issued urgent evacuation orders for approximately 100,000 civilians residing in eastern neighbourhoods of Rafah, directing them to a designated humanitarian zone. This massive displacement has raised acute concerns from international aid agencies regarding the safety and well-being of Gaza's civilian population.
The United Nations has expressed grave alarm over the potential for a sharp deterioration of the humanitarian situation, warning that an attack on Rafah could lead to a "catastrophe." The city is currently hosting over a million displaced Palestinians who had sought refuge from fighting in other parts of the territory.
A Tense Regional Standoff
The launch of this operation follows the breakdown of recent ceasefire negotiations. Hamas officials have stated they accepted an Egyptian-Qatari proposal, but Israel rejected the terms, deeming them unacceptable as they did not meet its core demands.
The international community watches with bated breath as this new phase of the conflict unfolds, fearing a further escalation in violence and a deepening of the human toll in the beleaguered Gaza Strip.
