Israel's Offensive in Rafah: Hamas, Negotiations, and Civilian Concerns
Israel remains steadfast in its offensive operations targeting the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, aimed at dismantling the forces of the radical Islamist movement, Hamas, DW has reported.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted on Saturday, February 17th, that any attempts to impede Israel's operations in Rafah signify a concession of defeat. He emphasised that the offensive will commence once civilians in the combat zones have been safely relocated.
Furthermore, Netanyahu underscored the lack of progress in negotiations with militants, facilitated through mediation by Egypt and Qatar. He noted that Israel has only received unrealistic demands from Hamas, including cessation of hostilities, preservation of the current radical movement, and release of thousands of prisoners from Israeli penitentiaries, as reported by Reuters.
In recent months, approximately 1.3 million internally displaced Palestinians have sought refuge in Rafah, facing severe shortages of food and potable water, according to Jan Egeland, the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council. Concerns regarding the welfare of civilians in Rafah amidst Israel's military plans have been expressed by numerous European and international politicians.
The conflict escalation in the Middle East ensued following a significant offensive by the radical Islamist group Hamas, recognized as a terrorist organisation by the European Union and the United States, on October 7, 2023. The attack included a massive rocket barrage on Israel and subsequent invasion, resulting in the largest civilian massacre in modern Israeli history, with 1,400 casualties. Additionally, militants seized over 200 hostages, transporting them to the Gaza Strip.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
