Israel has announced its plans to proceed with an assault on the southern city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, despite facing heavy pressure from the US. The assault is expected to impact over 1.4 million residents, half of whom are children. In response, Israel has expanded evacuation orders for residents in Rafah, urging them to head to designated humanitarian areas. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has escalated tensions, with President Joe Biden warning that weapon supplies to Israel could be halted if it proceeds with the invasion.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the attack, stating that Israel will fight with or without US arms. The decision to target Rafah, which serves as a Hamas stronghold, has raised concerns about civilian casualties and humanitarian operations. The UN, UK government, and other agencies have expressed doubts about the evacuation plan and warned of the potential humanitarian crisis that could unfold.
The conflict in Gaza has displaced more than 1.4 million people, and Israel’s military strategy has faced limitations in its efforts to combat Hamas. Recent evacuation orders in southern and northern Gaza are further intensifying the situation and straining Israel’s relationship with the United States. The Biden administration has expressed concerns that Israel’s use of US-provided weapons may have violated international humanitarian law, posing a challenge to the diplomatic ties between the two nations.
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