IDF ORDERS GAZANS TO EVACUATE EASTERN RAFAH IMMEDIATELY

May 6^th 2024

By-Adejide

IDF ORDERS GAZANS TO EVACUATE EASTERN RAFAH IMMEDIATELY

Israel military has issued serious warnings to the residents of Eastern Gaza to leave the area and take shelter at the check point. More than a million Palestinians take refuge at Eastern Gaza since the launch of Israel operation on Hamas.

Head of Arab Media Division of the IDF Spokesperson Unit, says “for your safety, the Defense Army urges you to evacuate immediately to the expanded humanitarian area”. This serves as an urgent call to people residing in municipality of Al-Shawka and in the neighbourhood of Al-Salam, Al-Jneina, Tiba Zaraa, and Al-Bayouk in the Rafah area.

Humanitarian agencies and international communities have been warning Israel against military operation in Rafah citing full blown famine and genocide. Northern Gaza is already going through famine which could spread across the strip, UN World Food Program stated over the weekend. But, Lieutenant Colonel Select Nadav Shoshani the IDF International spokesperson said it is only going to be a small scope of operation to evacuate the residents. However it maybe, the impact of military operation cannot be undermined.

Israel’s constant attack on Gaza has turned the neighbourhood into rubble which has resulted in growing protests amongst young people and International communities.

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HAMAS-ISRAEL TRUCE AGREEMENT SUFFER A BREAKDOWN

The hope for a truce deal dims as Israel didn’t agree to the Hamas demand. Expectation was very high from all sides for negotiation to reach an agreement but key demands from the Hamas group stood in the way.

The Israeli delegation didn’t attend the meeting with Egypt and Qatar mediators in Cairo after observing signs that Hamas isn’t ready to sign a deal, Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant confirmed on Sunday. Meanwhile, Hamas proceeded to its political office in Qatar after submitting a response to the proposal to the mediators with the hope to return for further negotiations on Tuesday.

Israel Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant

Sources reveal the stance of Hamas to end the war is still a stumbling block as Israel has repeatedly rejected this demand.

Israel is well determined to unleash full scale military operations in Rafah to dismantle everything left in Hamas after a rocket attack from Rafah killed four Israel military soldiers. This proves Hamas will still remain a threat if Rafah operation didn’t occur.

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CHANTS AGAINST ANTISEMITISM ECLIPSE MARCH OF LIVING IN AUSCHWITZ

Jewish university students from Canada hold posters of hostages in Gaza while they march thorough Auschwitz, the former Nazi camp in Poland. This march is in memory of people who were murdered for been Jews in the Nazi camp some years back.

The student march in large numbers as they chant to bring them back in a voice of support for hostages abducted on October 7 to be released to their families. Participants reminisce the sad incident of 1200 people that were murdered but they are mostly concerned with 252 abducted to be released. Apparently, the students are not pleased with the development coming from Egypt.

Jewish university students from Canada holding a poster of hostages in Gaza at the former Nazi camp Auschwitz, Poland

An active participant, Gorodetzky laments the situation concerning antisemitism on Canada campus as “bad, tough and terrible”. She and other students represent the Canadian delegation of high school students. She added “we are vocal and we fight”.

The unity they feel among themselves as Jews gives them strength and courage in moving forward after much isolation in their various campuses.

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CONDEMNATION, REJECTION ON ISRAEL OVER RAFAH OPERATIONS

After the truce deal reportedly collapsed during last weekend, IDF set full sight on Rafah Operation. Rafah residents have received strong warnings to evacuate the area. This operation does not augur well for mediators, world leaders and international communities.

EU Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell condemns Israel order to evacuate Eastern Gaza as “unacceptable”. He says “Israel evacuation orders to civilians in Rafah portend the worst: which means more war and famine.” He reiterated that the EU in alliance with international communities will try their best possible to prevent the assault.

EU Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell

Another world powerful nation, France says they strongly oppose Rafah operation amidst expected feared attack on southern city of Gaza Strip. France added it will cause situation of great distress to launch attack on Rafah where more than 1.3 million people are taking refuge.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) remains adamant to evacuate parts of the southern Gaza. They promised not to heed the evacuation call. Juliette Touma, Communication Director for UNRWA informs the world of their refusal to evacuate. UNRWA has thousands of employees in the city and they remain committed to delivering humanitarian assistance.

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HAMAS WARNS RAFAH OFFENSIVE DISREGARDS FATE OF HOSTAGES

The Hamas feel they are in pole position to decide the terms of the truce deal. This is the reason they insisted that any proposed deal by Israel must involve end of war.

The fighter group are much aware of the constant growing pressure on Israel to get the hostages released to their families. Therefore, they take their time while holding Israel to ransom through the hostages in their custody. Hamas emphatically says “Israel is preparing for a large scale military offensive in Rafah without regard for the humanitarian catastrophe in the strip or the fate of the enemy’s prisoners in Gaza”, referring to Israel hostages.

A man sits on ruble in the destroyed building in Rafah

The current situation has triggered antisemitism and the Jews no longer feel safe in major states such as United States, France, Canada , UK and Germany just to mention a few. Crises on campuses continue to create unrest in prestigious universities and demonstrations by hostage families keep pestering Israel to make urgent decisions.

The interest of the Israeli government is to dismantle Hamas completely with no power to pull a threat. This becomes a delicate situation for Israel as Netanyahu needs to make the most significant decision for the last 5 months.

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