Netanyahu Dead Set On Rafah Invasion

Currently home to approximately 2.5 million Gazans, Rafah is severely overcrowded. In 2017 the city hosted just over 170,000 residents and now due to the mass exodus in the north, the problem seems too large to handle. Food, water, medical and housing needs are not being met for the vast majority here.

With reports just coming out that PM Netanyahu has stated firmly that Israel will launch a ground assault on Rafah. This all comes after a phone call on Sunday between President Biden and Netanyahu where Biden is reported as calling the invasion of Rafah as a “red line”.

Israel's PM has clearly stated his intentions to invade and it seems very likely to happen. Netanyahu insisted that the war would not stop until Israel had achieved its objectives in the Rafah area.

His office released this statement: "We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there with or without a deal, in order to achieve the total victory"

The looming invasion has caused significant distress among the international community and within Rafah itself, with concerns about civilian casualties and seeing that they don't have anywhere else to go. Gazan health authorities recently reported that at least 34,500 Palestinians have been killed and more than 77,700 wounded since October 7th.

It's not all bad news for the Gazans though. United States Central Commands continually reports aid drops over the strip. The floating dock being built by the US is also well under construction and will allow for the rapid access to much needed food, water and medical supplies. The World Charity Kitchen said it would resume operations in the Gaza strip. Jordan has found a safe passage for aid at the Kerem Shalom border crossing. All this means is more resources for the Gazan people in this troubling time.