Nearly 900,000 Palestinians Leave Rafah Following Israeli Evacuation Orders

In recent developments, around 900,000 Palestinians have evacuated Rafah following Israeli military orders earlier this month. The evacuation was a response to a deadly Hamas attack from Rafah near the Kerem Shalom border, which is crucial for humanitarian aid entry. The attack seemingly accelerated discussions between the Biden administration and Israeli leaders about a potential Rafah invasion.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have engaged in more targeted operations in Gaza City, avoiding major military incursions into densely populated areas, as highlighted by U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Sullivan emphasized the lack of a “mathematical formula” to gauge the severity of the IDF’s campaign in Rafah but noted the focus would be on whether the operation leads to significant destruction or is more precise and proportional.
A satellite photo provided by Planet Labs PBC illustrated the extent of the evacuation in Rafah as of May 5, 2024. Despite the strategic measures, some critics, like Seth Frantzman from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, argue that concerns over an IDF operation in Rafah were exaggerated to keep civilians in place for Hamas to use as human shields. Frantzman acknowledged the IDF’s preparation for precision operations against terrorism in Rafah and its systematic evacuation calls.
Israeli officials have long argued the necessity of full-scale operations to dismantle Hamas, with operations moving from northern Gaza to the south. Rafah, a Hamas stronghold with tunnels extending into Egypt for smuggling, is seen as pivotal in controlling Gaza’s resources. The removal of Hamas from Rafah is viewed as crucial for weakening the group’s control.
The U.S., along with several Western countries and humanitarian organizations, has expressed concerns over potential civilian casualties from such operations. President Joe Biden even threatened to condition future military aid to Israel based on their actions in Rafah, holding up a shipment of heavy bombs that could cause significant damage in populated areas.