The Israeli military has stated that many displaced civilians currently residing in the southern part of the Gaza Strip will be relocated to safe zones in the central area of the enclave before a significant ground offensive is launched to eliminate the last stronghold of Hamas.
According to Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), efforts will be made to ensure that a substantial portion of the 1.4 million residents are moved to humanitarian islands created in collaboration with the international community. These safe zones will offer temporary shelter, along with provisions such as food and water, to those displaced by the conflict.
Previously, civilians had sought refuge in Rafah, located in the southernmost part of Gaza, after their neighborhoods were destroyed by Israeli airstrikes. The United States, a key ally of Israel, has urged the Israeli military to devise a credible plan for safeguarding civilians before initiating the offensive in Rafah. So far, the Israel-Hamas conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life in Gaza, with thousands dead and a large portion of the population displaced.
The conflict, initiated by Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, has resulted in the deaths of more than 31,000 Palestinians and the displacement of the majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents from their homes. Approximately one-fourth of Gaza’s population is facing severe food shortages, as reported by the United Nations, due to the inability to access or afford food at exorbitant prices.
Efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to mediate a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages before the start of Ramadan have stalled. Hamas is insisting that any temporary cessation of hostilities must come with guarantees for ending the conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to expand the military operation to include Rafah, the southern city of the Gaza Strip, where half of the population has sought refuge. Netanyahu has also vowed to continue fighting until Hamas is dismantled and all captives held by the group are freed.
The conflict risks escalating across the Middle East as Iran-backed factions aligned with Hamas engage in clashes with United States and Israeli forces. On Tuesday, the Israeli military reported that around 100 projectiles were fired into Israel from Lebanon, marking one of the largest barrages since the conflict began. These attacks appear to be in response to Israeli airstrikes carried out deep inside Lebanon the previous day.
Israeli airstrikes conducted in northeastern Lebanon on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals and injured 20 others. Israel and Hezbollah, the militant group based in Lebanon, have been exchanging fire almost daily since the start of the conflict.
In an effort to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, six aid trucks delivered supplies directly into the northern part of the territory on Tuesday evening. This initiative, coordinated by the Israeli military, is considered a pilot program to assess the feasibility of bringing additional food supplies overland into northern Gaza. The aid, which included food assistance from the World Food Program, was inspected at Israel’s Kerem Shalom crossing before being transported into Gaza through the 96th gate crossing near Kibbutz Be’eri.
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