The city is currently a refuge for approximately half of Gaza's population.
Avichay Adraee, the head of the Arab media division for the Israel Defense Force (IDF), issued a warning via a post on X, stating, "For your safety, the IDF appeals to you evacuate immediately to the expanded humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi." The post further warned that the IDF would act forcefully against terrorist organizations in residential areas, putting the lives of those in proximity at risk.
Al Mawasi, a narrow coastal region, is already home to several hundred thousand displaced Palestinians. Over 1.2 million people are currently seeking shelter in Rafah, many of whom have fled other parts of the Gaza Strip. Living conditions are dire, with insufficient access to water, food, and basic medicine.
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Despite warnings from the White House, the United Nations, the WHO, and other multinational organizations about the potential humanitarian disaster, Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that an operation in Rafah is crucial to Israel's victory over Hamas. Netanyahu and his far-right governing coalition have dismissed pleas from Washington, stating that Israel will proceed with its offensive into Rafah with or without U.S. support.
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Netanyahu declared, "The idea that we will halt the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question. We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there – with or without a [cease-fire] deal, in order to achieve total victory."
The IDF estimates that between 5,000 and 8,000 Hamas fighters are in Rafah, which they believe to be the militant group's last stronghold. This announcement follows the collapse of the latest round of hostage and cease-fire negotiations in Cairo, with both Hamas and Israeli officials blaming each other for the failure of the talks.
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Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated, "we see signs that Hamas does not intend to go to any agreement." Israel did not send a delegation to Cairo for the discussions, which were mediated by Qatar and Egypt.
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Hamas has suggested a hostage release in exchange for a full and permanent cease-fire, a proposal that Israel has rejected, as it intends to continue its military offensive in Gaza until it believes Hamas has been completely eliminated.
The Kerem Shalom border crossing, a critical channel for humanitarian aid into Gaza, was closed by Israel after it was hit by at least 10 rockets, an attack for which Hamas claimed responsibility. The attack resulted in the death of four IDF soldiers.
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Rafah has become one of the most densely populated areas on the planet since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict seven months ago, according to aid organizations. Islamic Relief, one of these organizations, has described the conditions as "apocalyptic," and expressed fears about the potential consequences of an invasion.
Mohammed Al Najjar, a blind law student from Gaza currently residing in Rafah with his family, spoke about the fear and uncertainty they are experiencing. "The areas the Israeli army mentioned that are safe zones are overcrowded and have thousands of people there with no space and no food. Right now, my parents and I are deciding on what to do. We don't know what will happen. There is a lot of stress and panic," Al Najjar said.
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Al Najjar was pursuing a master's degree in public law at the Islamic University of Gaza when the war broke out. The university was bombed by Israeli forces on October 13, who alleged it was being used as a training and weapons production facility for Hamas. Al Najjar expressed his fear of the potential dangers of staying or leaving their home, stating, "At any moment our phones could be cut off from the world, and no one will know what will happens to us."
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