In a stern warning to Hamas, Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, has issued an ultimatum: all hostages must be released by March 10, or Israel will launch a ground invasion in Rafah. The backdrop to this warning is the current crisis in Gaza, where 1.5 million Palestinians are seeking refuge in Rafah, a city near the Egypt border. International agencies have expressed grave concerns, warning that any attack on Rafah could result in a humanitarian catastrophe.
With the death toll from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza surpassing 28,000, peace efforts led by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have thus far failed to bring about significant progress on the ground. Despite repeated warnings from Israel’s closest ally, the US, urging the Benjamin Netanyahu-led government to cease its attacks on civilians, Israeli forces have continued their indiscriminate assaults.
Here are 10 key points to understand the Israel-Hamas conflict in Rafah:
- The Israeli government has issued an ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the release of hostages by the start of Ramadan on March 10. Failure to comply will result in the IDF launching a ground offensive in Rafah, with Israeli authorities citing reliable intelligence indicating that most hostages are being held in the city.
- Benny Gantz emphasized that Israel is coordinating closely with its allies, including the United States, to evacuate civilians and minimize civilian casualties in the event of a ground invasion.
- Egypt has made it clear that it will not allow Palestinian refugees to enter its territory. Cairo is concerned that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could spill over into Rafah, potentially leading to an influx of Palestinian refugees into Egypt.
- There have been reports from Israel suggesting that the government aims to expel Palestinians from Gaza as part of a resettlement plan, paving the way for Israeli citizens to return to the territory.
- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has convened for a second time to address the plight of Palestinians in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
- Representatives from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Israel, and the Palestinian Authority presented their arguments before the ICJ. The UNGA sought an advisory opinion from the ICJ on the consequences of Israel’s actions, including its occupation, settlement, and annexation policies.
- Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Riyad al-Maliki highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with millions of Palestinians besieged, bombed, and displaced. He emphasized the need for the ICJ’s ruling to pave the way for peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis.
- Al-Maliki expressed optimism that the ICJ’s decision could contribute to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, allowing Palestinians and Israelis to coexist in dignity and security.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the legitimacy of the ICJ’s hearings on the occupation of Palestinian territory, dismissing the proceedings as part of a Palestinian attempt to dictate political outcomes without negotiations.
- Netanyahu emphasized that Israel does not recognize the authority of the ICJ in matters related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, characterizing the discussions at The Hague as part of a broader Palestinian strategy to circumvent negotiations.
The situation in Rafah remains tense as Israel issues a deadline for the release of hostages held by Hamas. With international efforts to broker peace faltering and the humanitarian crisis worsening, the prospect of a ground invasion looms large, raising concerns about the escalation of violence and the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire.