New Israeli bombing in Rafah; The threat of land operations is increasing

Witnesses reported, on Saturday 10 February, new Israeli bombardment in the Rafah sector, south of the Gaza Strip. After the city of Khan Younes after Gaza, Israel is now considering a ground operation in the city backed by a closed border with Egypt.

On Saturday, Hamas warned that Israel could invade Rafah “Thousands dead and wounded”. According to the United Nations (UN), more than 1.3 million Palestinians (five times the city’s original population) have gathered in the area, most of them civilians fleeing the war. The latter is now a mass in the city, transformed into a huge camp, in dire humanitarian conditions.

The Palestinian Islamist movement added that it held itself responsible for the possible consequences “The American Administration, the International Community, and the Israeli Occupation”.. On Saturday, Hamas’ health ministry counted 117 deaths in twenty-four hours across the enclave. In particular, fighting is raging on the grounds of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younes, the largest in southern Gaza, now surrounded by Israeli tanks, where there are still 300 staff members, 450 wounded and 10,000 displaced. According to the Ministry.

After ordering the army to prepare for an offensive in Rafah on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for it to submit on Friday. “joint plan” No“Empty” Citizens and “destruction” Hamas in this city.

“It is impossible to achieve the war objective without eliminating Hamas and leaving four Hamas battalions in Rafah”And for this it is necessary “Civilians Evacuate Combat Zones”Mr. Netanyahu endorsed.

According to Joe Biden, “overreaction”.

The UN and the United States, Israel’s main allies, are concerned about the fate of civilians. “Now perform such an operation (in Rafah) A disaster can happen without planning and thinking in an area of ​​a million people.warned the US State Department this week. US President Joe Biden took his tone seriously towards Judge Israel on Thursday “excessive” there “Response in the Gaza Strip” For the October 7 attack.

Saudi Arabia warned on Saturday that it would provoke an Israeli military operation in Rafah “Humanitarian Disaster”, calling for intervention by the UN Security Council. In addition, expressed the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs “Its categorical rejection and strong condemnation” No “Forced Displacement” No “Hundreds of Thousands of Civilians Forced to Flee Brutal Israeli Offensive” in the Gaza Strip.

Germany has warned “Declaration of Humanitarian Disaster”When Jordan said that he rejected this “Displacement of Palestinians into or out of their land”.

New talks between Qatar and Egypt, mediated by the United States and Hamas, to try to reach a cease-fire agreement including the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and hostages, ended in Cairo on Friday.

About 250 people were kidnapped in Israel and taken to Gaza during the October 7 attack. A week-long ceasefire in November allowed the release of 105 hostages and 240 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. According to Israel, 132 hostages are still being held in Gaza, 29 of whom are believed to have died.