IDF Calls on Rafah Civilians to Evacuate to Safe Zone
“Anyone close to terrorist organizations endangers themselves and their families,” say the Arabic-language flyers, signed by the IDF”
Mandi Kogosowski
| 06/05/2024
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
The IDF flyers. Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Rafah, this morning. May 6, 2024. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled
The IDF has begun evicting civilians from the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, in preparation for a ground maneuver, by dropping flyers and sending SMS messages, making phone calls, and using media broadcasts in Arabic.
“The IDF will act forcefully against terrorist organizations in the area where you are located, as it has done so far. Anyone close to terrorist organizations endangers themselves and their families,” say the Arabic-language flyers, signed by the IDF.
“For your safety, the IDF urges you to immediately evacuate to the extended humanitarian zone in the Al-Muwasi area. We warn you that Gaza is still a dangerous combat zone, avoid heading north towards the Gaza River. We warn you not to approach the eastern and southern security fence.”
This evacuation and looming ground operation are against the backdrop of the hostage negotiations in Cairo which are reportedly on the brink of collapsing. Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that Hamas’ demands of the complete cessation of hostilities and ending the war cannot be accepted by Israel. Defense Minister Galant was quoted this morning as saying “We have no choice left” concerning Rafah.
Over 100 thousand Palestinians live in the area that will be evacuated, out of an approximate 1.3 million residents and displaced persons from the more northern parts of the Gaza Strip who currently harbor the entire Rafah area.
Yesterday, three IDF soldiers were killed during a Hamas rocket attack fired from the Rafah area at Kerem Shalom, and 11 others were wounded. The fallen soldiers are 19-year-old Staff Sgt. Ruben Marc Mordechai Assouline, 19-year-old Staff Sgt. Ido Testa, and 21-year-old Staff Sgt. Tal Shavit. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the Kerem Shalom crossing, where humanitarian aid enters Gaza, last week.
At the same time, tensions remain high on Israel’s northern front. This morning, dozens of rockets were fired by Hezbollah at the Golan Heights area. The Israel Air Force has been operating within Lebanese territory.
“Anyone close to terrorist organizations endangers themselves and their families,” say the Arabic-language flyers, signed by the IDF”
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
The IDF flyers. Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Rafah, this morning. May 6, 2024. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled
The IDF has begun evicting civilians from the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, in preparation for a ground maneuver, by dropping flyers and sending SMS messages, making phone calls, and using media broadcasts in Arabic.
“The IDF will act forcefully against terrorist organizations in the area where you are located, as it has done so far. Anyone close to terrorist organizations endangers themselves and their families,” say the Arabic-language flyers, signed by the IDF.
“For your safety, the IDF urges you to immediately evacuate to the extended humanitarian zone in the Al-Muwasi area. We warn you that Gaza is still a dangerous combat zone, avoid heading north towards the Gaza River. We warn you not to approach the eastern and southern security fence.”
This evacuation and looming ground operation are against the backdrop of the hostage negotiations in Cairo which are reportedly on the brink of collapsing. Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that Hamas’ demands of the complete cessation of hostilities and ending the war cannot be accepted by Israel. Defense Minister Galant was quoted this morning as saying “We have no choice left” concerning Rafah.
Over 100 thousand Palestinians live in the area that will be evacuated, out of an approximate 1.3 million residents and displaced persons from the more northern parts of the Gaza Strip who currently harbor the entire Rafah area.
Yesterday, three IDF soldiers were killed during a Hamas rocket attack fired from the Rafah area at Kerem Shalom, and 11 others were wounded. The fallen soldiers are 19-year-old Staff Sgt. Ruben Marc Mordechai Assouline, 19-year-old Staff Sgt. Ido Testa, and 21-year-old Staff Sgt. Tal Shavit. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the Kerem Shalom crossing, where humanitarian aid enters Gaza, last week.
At the same time, tensions remain high on Israel’s northern front. This morning, dozens of rockets were fired by Hezbollah at the Golan Heights area. The Israel Air Force has been operating within Lebanese territory.
