The ongoing 4-month genocide left thousands dead, but beyond that, knowing the intensity of the invasion, the current Palestinian population is dwindling and losing the capacity to find refuge. Currently, about 1.5 million Palestinians are in Rafah, seeking refuge from Israel’s continuous combat.
What Happened In Rafah
Today, that very population was attacked following threats from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who ordered the military to evacuate the civilians at Rafah. Several airstrikes were launched, killing dozens. These attacks were made to act as a cover for the Israeli army to free two hostages held by Hamas.
However, the entire attack was a plan that Netanyahu was adamant on.
He released a statement where he clearly stated his plan, “It is impossible to achieve the goal of the war without eliminating Hamas and by leaving four Hamas battalions in Rafah. On the contrary, it is clear that intense activity in Rafah requires that civilians evacuate the areas of combat,” the statement added.
What The World Is Saying
Since the release of the statement, Israel has been facing severe international warnings over its planned attack on Rafah. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said that if Israel attacks Rafah, there will be “very serious repercussions.”
Egypt is also against the attack, and they’re currently pleading with the international community to come together to prevent the attack that won’t only constitute a blatant violation of international law but will further contribute to the displacement of the Palestinian people.
Most countries around the region are also against the attack, including Lebanon, Jordan, and so forth. Even US President Biden is warning Netanyahu not to take any action without first having a ‘credible‘ plan to protect civilians.
The End Result
Israel still went on with the attack, killing over 67 people. What’s known so far is that this was only a cover attack to rescue the hostages, meaning that more attacks and airstrikes will follow. The entire Gazan population is on the cusp of fear following the attack, not knowing what their fate will be.