Desperate Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza, Fear Imminent Israeli Assault – Reuters

By Mohammad Salem and Nidal al-Mughrabi

RAFAH, Gaza Strip – The Abu Mustafa family’s tent is situated right against the concrete and metal fence that marks the border between Gaza and Egypt in Rafah. This area, once seen as relatively safe amidst Israel’s military assaults, now faces the threat of being targeted as well.

The family is among over a million Palestinians crammed into Rafah, feeling trapped in a small region largely reduced to rubble where combat continues.

"Every day, we’re on the run. Being displaced is tough because I have two daughters with disabilities. I can’t carry them around. I don’t have a car or a cart," shared Laila Abu Mustafa. "If there will be more displacement, I’m not moving," she added firmly.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a plan to evacuate civilians who have taken refuge in Rafah, where many are camping in streets, vacant lots, and along the sandy strip bordering Egypt.

In a recent phone call, U.S. President Joe Biden advised Netanyahu to avoid launching a military operation in Rafah unless there was a clear strategy to ensure the safety of the civilians there. This call followed Biden’s earlier statement describing Israel’s response in Gaza as "over the top."

A senior Biden administration official indicated that negotiators had made "real progress" in discussions aimed at securing the release of hostages held by Hamas. While some significant gaps remain, the official expressed optimism about reaching an agreement.

History has shown that prior to attacks on Gaza cities, the Israeli military has told civilians to evacuate without offering a concrete plan for their safety. Aid organizations warn that an assault on Rafah would have dire consequences.

The conflict escalated on October 7 when Hamas breached the border with Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the capture of approximately 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources.

Four months later, Gaza lies in devastation. With relentless bombardment, Israeli forces have taken control of much of the enclave, systematically destroying homes, public infrastructure, and facilities through airstrikes, artillery, and demolitions.

Palestinian health authorities report that over 28,000 individuals have lost their lives, and over 85% of Gazans are now homeless. A U.N. survey indicates that nearly one in ten children under the age of five is facing severe malnutrition.

Attempts to finalize a ceasefire have not yielded success. Recently, Israel rejected a proposal from Hamas to halt fighting while the group retains brigades believed to be hiding in Rafah.

Egyptian security sources note that further high-level discussions are planned, slated to involve senior officials from Qatar and the United States, along with delegations from Israel and Palestine.

In recent days, Israeli air strikes have begun targeting Rafah. Hamas reported that Israeli bombings in the Gaza Strip over the past four days resulted in the deaths of two hostages and injuries to eight others. The group warned that any assault on Rafah could derail ongoing negotiations to secure the release of remaining hostages.

In a televised interview, Netanyahu reiterated the intention to proceed with military action in Rafah while asserting that a detailed plan would be established to protect civilians. "We’re going to do it. We’re going to get the remaining Hamas terrorist battalions in Rafah," he stated, emphasizing the commitment to provide safe passage for the civilian population.

Doubts have been raised about the accuracy of Palestinian casualty figures. Netanyahu referred to the numbers reported by the Hamas-led health authorities as unreliable, claiming, "It’s only been one civilian that’s been killed for one Hamas terrorist in Gaza."

He asserted that Israeli forces had either killed or wounded around 20,000 Hamas fighters, though he offered no further elaboration.

According to Palestinian health authorities, roughly 70% of those killed in Gaza are women or children under the age of 18. The Israeli military has previously estimated that approximately two civilians die for every Hamas combatant.

The World Health Organization has praised the reporting system of the Palestinian Health Ministry as reliable, and U.N. agencies frequently cite its casualty figures.

Amid the turmoil, the Abu Mustafa family attempts to maintain some semblance of normalcy, hanging laundry between their tents and cooking whatever food they can find over a small fire on the sand.

Fear of an impending assault looms in Rafah, becoming a constant topic in conversations among residents. Mariam, who fled from Gaza City early in the conflict with her three young children, described their ongoing distress. "I can’t describe how we feel. There is turmoil in my head. My children keep asking me when Israel will invade Rafah and where we will go and if we will die. And I don’t have the answers," she said.