Tense Calm in Gaza as Cease-Fire Deal Teeters, World Responds to Evacuation Order
UN agencies and aid groups raise urgent concerns over the potential catastrophic consequences of a military assault on Rafah. Israel has issued evacuation orders to tens of thousands of residents in the southern Gaza city.
The Israeli army has issued evacuation orders to tens of thousands of Palestinians in Rafah, heightening concerns of an imminent ground assault on the southern Gaza city. This comes as 1.4 million people, displaced by Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, have sought refuge in Rafah.
According to an Israeli military spokesperson, approximately 100,000 individuals residing in eastern Rafah are instructed to evacuate to a designated “expanded humanitarian area” located along the coast.
BREAKING: Israel’s criminal invasion of Rafah, the last place of refuge for Palestinians in Gaza, has begun.
1.7 million civilians trapped in Rafah are now being attacked through air, land and sea, in the middle of the night. pic.twitter.com/qlEWI7DTAa
— sarah (@sahouraxo) May 6, 2024
On Monday, following Hamas’s approval of a ceasefire proposal presented by mediators Qatar and Egypt, the Israeli army issued an order for tens of thousands of Palestinians to evacuate Rafah. Despite the ceasefire proposal falling short of Israeli demands, Israel’s war cabinet decided to continue its operation in Rafah.
Later in the evening, the Israeli army intensified its bombardment of the city. Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Rafah, described an escalation of air raids and artillery bombardment in the eastern part of the city. Residential houses were being relentlessly targeted, leading to an increasing number of residents fleeing the area. The Israeli military was also reported to be mobilizing additional troops in the region.
The global response to Israel’s evacuation order varied. Here are some notable reactions from around the worldThe global response to Israel’s evacuation order varied. Here are some notable reactions from around the world:
Hamas
In response to Israel’s evacuation order and the expected offensive, expressed strong condemnation and issued a warning regarding the potential consequences. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas official, stated to Reuters news agency that the evacuation order represents a dangerous escalation that will not go unanswered.
Hamas further declared in a statement that any military offensive in Rafah would not be taken lightly by their resistance forces, particularly the Qassam Brigades. They emphasized their readiness to defend the Palestinian people and defeat the perceived enemy, referring to the Israeli occupation army.
Israel
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz affirmed that the country’s war goals in Gaza remain unchanged. He stated that their ongoing military operation in Gaza is a just war with two primary objectives: the release of all hostages held by Hamas and the defeat of the organization. This statement indicates that Israel intends to persist in its efforts to achieve these goals through the military campaign.
Palestinian Authority
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesperson for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, strongly condemned the Israeli occupation authorities and accused them of preparing to commit a grave crime of genocide by invading Rafah. He expressed deep concern over the situation and held the American administration responsible for providing financial and military support to Israel. Abu Rudeineh criticized the US for obstructing the implementation of international legitimacy resolutions and preventing the cessation of aggression against the Palestinian people. In his statement, he claimed that such support from the US encouraged Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his leadership to continue their alleged massacres against the Palestinian population.
People in Rafah
Mohammad Al Najar, a resident of western Rafah, expressed a sense of despair and hopelessness, stating that people in Gaza have nowhere safe to seek refuge. He described the current situation as one of constant danger, where death seems inevitable. Al Najar expressed his longing to erase the memories of the past seven months, as many dreams and hopes have been shattered.
Aminah Adwan, another individual from Rafah, warned of an impending catastrophe and referred to it as the biggest genocide. She called upon the entire Arab world to intervene and work towards a ceasefire. Adwan pleaded for urgent Arab intervention to save the people of Rafah from the dire circumstances they are facing.
BREAKING : This is Rafah tonight, under the heaviest Israeli bombardment yet.
Israel is not defending itself, it is committing genocide.pic.twitter.com/UwfrfgS1VQ
— sarah (@sahouraxo) May 6, 2024
Egypt
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement calling on Israel to exercise utmost self-restraint and to refrain from further escalation, particularly during this critical period when negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of captives are underway. The statement emphasized the sensitivity of the situation and urged Israel to consider the potential consequences.
The Egyptian statement also warned that an Israeli attack on Rafah would pose severe humanitarian risks, endangering the lives of over a million Palestinians in the area. This highlights the grave concerns held by Egypt regarding the potential impact on the civilian population and the urgent need to prevent further escalation for the sake of humanitarian considerations.
Jordan
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi expressed deep concern over the situation and warned that another massacre of Palestinians appears to be imminent. In a statement, he emphasized that the international community must take decisive action to prevent such a tragedy from occurring. Safadi stressed that if the international community fails to intervene and halt the potential massacre, it would leave an indelible stain on their collective conscience. He further stated that too many past massacres have been allowed to happen, emphasizing that it is time to put an end to this cycle of violence and protect innocent lives.
Saudi Arabia
The Foreign Ministry of Saudi Arabia has expressed its grave concern over the Israeli forces targeting the city of Rafah. In a statement, the ministry categorically rejected the ongoing violations committed by the occupying forces, condemning their blatant disregard for international resolutions calling for an end to these massacres. Saudi Arabia highlighted that such actions by Israel constitute clear violations of international law and international humanitarian law.
The ministry raised concerns about the worsening humanitarian crisis caused by these violations and emphasized the urgent need for international peace efforts to be strengthened. Saudi Arabia called for effective measures to deter Israel from continuing its aggression and to ensure accountability for its actions. The statement underlined the importance of international community’s intervention to address the situation and bring about a resolution that upholds the principles of justice and peace.
European Union
The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, expressed deep concern about Israel’s evacuation orders to civilians in Rafah. He warned that these orders suggest a grim future characterized by more warfare and increased suffering, including the risk of famine.
Borrell deemed such actions by Israel as unacceptable and called upon the country to abandon the prospect of a ground offensive. He urged Israel to instead implement the UN Security Council Resolution 2728, which likely pertains to the cessation of hostilities. Borrell emphasized the role of the EU, in collaboration with the international community, in taking necessary action to prevent such a scenario from unfolding. His statements were shared on the social media platform X.
France
The French embassy in Israel released a statement indicating that French President Emmanuel Macron had a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Sunday. During the call, President Macron reiterated his strong opposition to the planned Israeli offensive in Rafah. He emphasized the urgent necessity for facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip through all access points.
The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs reiterated the country’s stance by highlighting that the forced displacement of a civilian population is considered a war crime under international law. This statement reaffirms France’s commitment to upholding international legal standards and principles.
The French government’s position underscores the importance of prioritizing humanitarian assistance and avoiding actions that could lead to further displacement and suffering among the civilian population.
United States
According to a statement from a spokesperson of the White House National Security Council, the United States expressed that it cannot speak on behalf of Israeli military operations. The statement mentioned that the US government has conveyed its views to the Israeli government regarding a major ground invasion of Rafah. It further stated that President Joe Biden would be speaking with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that day.
The spokesperson reiterated the belief that reaching a hostage deal is the most effective approach to safeguard the lives of the hostages and prevent an invasion of Rafah, where a significant number of people are seeking shelter. The statement concluded by acknowledging that talks on the matter are presently ongoing.
United Kingdom
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed deep concern over the potential offensive in Rafah. He emphasized the significance of the Rafah crossing for the delivery of aid and the large number of civilians seeking shelter in the area. Sunak stated that the UK is closely monitoring the situation and the potential impact on civilians.
David Lammy, the UK’s Shadow Foreign Secretary from the Labour Party, described an Israeli ground attack on Rafah as catastrophic. He took to the social media platform X to call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of captives, and unimpeded aid to Gaza. Lammy emphasized the urgency of preventing the offensive and resolving the conflict through peaceful means.
The statements from both Sunak and Lammy indicate the UK’s concern for the safety of civilians in Rafah and their call for de-escalation and humanitarian support in the region.
United Nations Agencies
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) expressed grave concern over the potential Israeli offensive in Rafah, stating that it would lead to further suffering and loss of civilian lives. They emphasized that the consequences would be devastating for the 1.4 million people residing in the area. UNRWA affirmed that they would continue to maintain a presence in Rafah for as long as possible, providing essential aid to the affected population.
James Elder, a spokesperson for UNICEF, described a military offensive on Rafah as horrific. He expressed disbelief that such a scenario could unfold and warned of its catastrophic impact. Elder emphasized that there is nowhere for people to seek safety, highlighting the limited access to basic necessities such as water, sanitation, and food. He criticized the notion of safe zones, pointing out that they are not just about avoiding bombings but also ensuring the provision of essential services to the affected population.
These statements from UNRWA and UNICEF underscore the severe humanitarian concerns associated with a potential offensive in Rafah, emphasizing the urgent need for the protection of civilians and the provision of essential aid and services.
NGOs and human rights organisations
Save the Children, an aid group focused on children’s rights, issued a warning stating that time has run out to protect children in Rafah before the expected assault. The CEO of the organization, Inger Ashing, expressed deep concern, emphasizing that an incursion would not only endanger the lives of over 600,000 children but also severely disrupt the ongoing humanitarian aid response in Gaza. Ashing stressed that forcibly displacing people from Rafah while impeding the aid response would have devastating consequences, particularly for children. She urgently called upon countries to take immediate action to protect civilians and prevent atrocities.
Jan Egeland, the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, echoed similar concerns, highlighting that Israel’s military offensive in Rafah could lead to the deadliest phase of the conflict, causing immense suffering for approximately 1.4 million displaced civilians in the area. He emphasized that the region is already strained and lacking vital services. Egeland criticized the relocation directives issued by Israel, stating that they constitute forcible transfer, a serious violation of international law. He further warned that any Israeli military operation in Rafah, which has become the largest cluster of displacement camps globally, could result in potential mass atrocities.
These statements from Save the Children and the Norwegian Refugee Council underscore the critical need to protect children and civilians in Rafah, emphasizing the severe humanitarian consequences of an assault on the area. Urgent action is called upon to safeguard lives and ensure compliance with international humanitarian law.
