Fighting rages both in Rafah where and in northern Gaza where Hamas forces appear to have regrouped
Fighting across the Strip has intensified in recent days, including in the north, with the Israeli army returning to areas where it said it had eliminated Hamas months ago. According to Israel, the operations are aimed at preventing Hamas from regrouping its forces.
The Israeli army’s return to northern Gaza amid international pressure for a ceasefire demonstrates Israel’s concern that the lack of a clear strategic plan for Gaza will return Hamas to effective control of the enclave it has ruled since 2007.
The development on the battlefield and the resurgence are captured by maps of the areas under Israeli control until March in contrast to the situation that prevails today and the regrouping of Hamas.
Meanwhile, Israeli tanks pushed deeper into eastern Rafah on Tuesday, even reaching some residential districts of the southern border town, sparking fears of further civilian casualties taking refuge there.
Despite international appeals, Israel insists on the necessity of a ground invasion of Rafah, where it claims there are four Hamas battalions.
In fact, Israel has pledged to proceed with the Rafah operation without the support of its allies.
“The tanks advanced this morning west of Salahuddin Street in the neighborhoods of Brazil and Jneina. They are on the streets inside the residential area and there are clashes,” a resident told Reuters.
Palestinian residents of western Rafah later said they could see smoke rising over eastern neighborhoods and hear the sound of explosions from Israeli shelling.
Characteristic of the prevailing situation is the announcement by the UN, according to which almost 450,000 civilians have been displaced from Rafah since Israel ordered the evacuation on May 6.
“Nearly 450,000 people have been forcibly displaced from Rafah since May 6,” who “are exhausted, hungry and constantly afraid,” Unrwa wrote on social media platform X, without specifying where those displaced have gone, in other parts of Rafah or outside the city, which is home to 1.4 million people according to the UN.
“There is no safety anywhere. An immediate truce is the only hope,” says the UN agency, in yet another call for an end to hostilities.
Source :Skai
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