Israel’s tanks have penetrated the center of Rafah, and air attacks persist across the city despite global calls to end the bloodshed.

Ongoing Conflict between Israel Rafah

Israel has continued its military operations in Rafah, Southern Gaza, disregarding a draft resolution proposed to the UN Security Council (UNSC) aimed at “stopping the killing” in the city. The escalation persisted with new air attacks reported across Rafah on Wednesday morning.

Photo Credit: AP News

Military Advancements

Israeli forces have reportedly taken control of the Philadelphi Corridor and are advancing deeper into the western part of Rafah. Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Deir el-Balah, noted that Israel is “herding people from one place to another” amid the attacks.

Initially, Rafah was designated as a safe zone by the Israeli military, which led over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents to seek refuge there. However, the intensified assault has caused nearly one million people to flee Rafah once again.

Impact on Civilians

Residents, including Abdel Khatib, described the dire situation, stating that people are trapped in their homes due to the risk of being targeted by Israeli drones. The Israeli airstrikes targeted various parts of Rafah, such as the vicinity of the Badr camp and the Zourob roundabout west of the city.

According to Palestinian news agency Shehab. The assault has also led to a complete shutdown of telecommunications and internet services in Rafah.

The humanitarian situation is deteriorating rapidly. Mahmoud reported that those instructed to stay in the al-Mawasi evacuation zone are now forced to move again as bombing occurs not only in Rafah but also in Khan Younis and other parts of Gaza.

The shelling has extended to areas near the Kuwaiti Hospital, rendering it and most of Rafah’s field hospitals out of service. Only one field hospital remains operational.

International Reactions and US Perspective

The international community, including the United States, has expressed deep concern over the situation in Rafah. US President Joe Biden has urged Israel to exercise restraint and avoid a major military operation in the city.

On Tuesday, the Biden administration stated that Israel had not yet crossed its “red lines.” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized that the US has not observed Israel “smash into Rafah.”

Despite these warnings, civilian casualties continue to mount. A civil defense official in Gaza reported that an Israeli strike on a displacement camp west of Rafah on Tuesday resulted in at least 21 deaths. Whereas, the Israeli army denied responsibility, asserting that they did not target the designated humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi.

UN Security Council Response

Global outrage over the situation has intensified, especially after a similar strike over the weekend killed 45 people, prompting Algeria to call for an emergency UNSC session on Tuesday evening.

Algeria’s UN ambassador Amar Bendjama stated that the aim of the draft resolution was to “stop the killing in Rafah.” As a member of the UNSC for 2024-25, Algeria has been vocal in pushing for a resolution.

The council is scheduled to revisit the issue on Wednesday, with diplomats suggesting that a vote could occur within days. However, past efforts to secure a ceasefire resolution in Gaza have been thwarted by the United States, which has vetoed three previous attempts.

“Stop Bloodshed”

The situation in Rafah remains critical as Israel continues its military operations despite international calls for a ceasefire. The humanitarian crisis is worsening, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict.

While the US and other nations advocate for restraint and protection of civilian lives, the path to peace remains uncertain, underscoring the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution to end the bloodshed.

Photo Credit: AP News

Editor: Global News Caster (GNC)