Israel-Hamas conflict: Israel continues Rafah operations in Gaza, Egypt warns of “consequences

Israel has launched a war against Hamas following an attack on Israeli towns on October 7. The Israeli Defense Ministry has purchased 40,000 tents to house Palestinians relocated from the southern Gaza city of Rafah in preparation for an assault. Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated that Israel will proceed with the planned operation in Rafah, the last major population center in Gaza not yet entered by Israeli ground troops.

Israel claims that Rafah is home to four Hamas combat battalions reinforced by thousands of retreating fighters. Egypt has issued a stern warning in response to Israel’s plan, with President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi stating that any military operations in Rafah would have “catastrophic consequences” on the humanitarian situation and regional peace and security. Rafah is adjacent to the Egyptian border and is currently sheltering over a million Palestinians who fled after the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted over six months ago.

The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has urged Israel to refrain from assaulting Rafah and suggested alternative methods to combat Hamas fighters in the area. Although most of its ground troops have been withdrawn from southern Gaza, Israel continues to conduct air strikes and raids in abandoned areas. Efforts by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to negotiate a ceasefire to prevent an assault on Rafah have thus far been unsuccessful.

However, Israel has not disclosed a specific timeline for its planned operation in Rafah.