The Assault on Rafah Marks a Major Escalation in the War
In one of the largest mass displacements of the ongoing conflict, hundreds of thousands of Gazans fled their homes on Thursday as Israeli forces advanced into the city of Rafah, part of a newly declared “security zone” that Israel intends to seize. This assault on Rafah marks a significant escalation in the war, as it had previously served as a last refuge for many people fleeing other areas.
The attack on Rafah comes a day after Israel declared its intention to capture large parts of the Gaza Strip, pushing into the southern city, which had offered sanctuary to people fleeing the northern parts of Gaza. According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 97 people were reported killed in Israeli airstrikes over the past 24 hours, including at least 20 people who died in a dawn strike in the Shejaia neighborhood of Gaza City.
One resident of Rafah, a father of seven who fled to the nearby town of Khan Younis, described the devastation, saying, “Rafah is gone. It is being wiped out. They are knocking down what is left of houses and property.” Many others who fled reported similar destruction and uncertainty about their future.
As Israeli forces targeted key areas, including Khan Younis, the situation became even more dire. “Is anything left for us? There’s nothing left for us. We’re being killed while asleep,” said Adel Abu Fakher, a displaced man whose tent was damaged in an airstrike.
The assault to seize Rafah follows Israel’s renewed offensive last month after abandoning a ceasefire that had been in place since January. Though Israel has not clarified its long-term goals for the security zone, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli troops are now advancing into what he referred to as the “Morag Axis,” an area once home to an abandoned Israeli settlement.
Meanwhile, Gazans who had returned to their homes during the temporary ceasefire are now being forced to flee again, this time from the northern and southern edges of Gaza. Many fear that Israel’s broader aim is the permanent depopulation of these areas, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless in one of the most densely populated and impoverished regions in the world. The security zone includes some of Gaza’s most critical agricultural land and vital water infrastructure.
Since the expiration of the ceasefire in March, Israel has imposed a full blockade on Gaza, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation. With Gaza’s 2.3 million residents facing severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, international organizations are warning of an impending humanitarian catastrophe.
The war, which began after a Hamas attack on Israeli communities in October 2023, has already resulted in over 50,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s health authorities. The violence continues despite calls for ceasefires and diplomatic solutions, with Hamas militants still holding Israeli hostages, which Israel insists must be released to extend the truce.
In Rafah, most residents have adhered to Israel’s evacuation orders, though many stayed behind due to a lack of alternatives. A resident, Basem, explained, “Others stayed because they don’t know where to go, or they’ve become exhausted from being displaced repeatedly. We’re afraid they might be killed or detained.”
With markets empty and prices for essentials soaring under the blockade, the Palestinian Health Ministry warned that Gaza’s entire healthcare system is on the brink of collapse.
