Israel has ordered new evacuations in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, resulting in tens of thousands of people being forced to move closer to the heavily populated central area as the conflict continues to escalate. Protests have continued as Israel prepares to expand its military operation in defiance of pressure from the United States and others.
The United Nations has warned that a full-scale invasion of Rafah would cripple humanitarian operations and lead to a surge in civilian casualties. Egypt has refused to coordinate with Israel for aid delivery through the Rafah crossing due to the escalating violence.
President Joe Biden has stated that the US will not provide offensive weapons to Israel for the conflict in Rafah. More than 1.4 million Palestinians are currently sheltering in Rafah, with the recent evacuations forcing people to return to areas that have been devastated by previous Israeli attacks.
The World Food Program has issued a warning that they are running out of food for distribution in southern Gaza. Additionally, a mass grave containing 80 bodies has been reported at Shifa hospital, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict.
At least 19 people were killed overnight in central Gaza, further escalating the death toll in the region. Cease-fire talks in Cairo have recently ended without a breakthrough, indicating the challenges in reaching a resolution to the conflict.
Israel’s ground offensive in northern Gaza has led to large-scale evacuations and heavy fighting in the region, further intensifying the already dire situation in the area. As the conflict in Rafah continues to escalate, the international community remains concerned about the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in the region.
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