Rafah offensive
Ongoing Israeli offensive on Rafah / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
On 6 May 2024, Israel began a military offensive in and around the city of Rafah as part of its invasion of the Gaza Strip during the Israel–Hamas war. Israel's ongoing and planned operations in Rafah have drawn international criticism, including from its allies, over concerns of potential humanitarian repercussions.[13][14]
Rafah offensive | |||||||
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Part of the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip during the Israel–Hamas war | |||||||
Israeli tanks in Rafah | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Israel |
Hamas Palestinian Islamic Jihad Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine[1] | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Shin Bet[7] |
Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Per Israel: 26 soldiers injured[8][9] 2 Defense Ministry employees, 1 contractor injured[5] |
Per Israel: ~50 militants killed[8] | ||||||
80+ Palestinian civilians killed,[lower-alpha 1] ~280 injured 500,000 Palestinians displaced (est.)[11] 1 Israeli civilian injured[12] |
Before the offensive, about 1.4 million displaced Palestinians from elsewhere in the Gaza Strip had sought shelter in Rafah. In February, Israel announced its intent to invade in order to eliminate Hamas brigades it said were in the city.[15] In early May, as ceasefire negotiations stalled, Israel prepared for an operation and ordered the evacuation of eastern Rafah.[16][17] On 6 May, Hamas accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar,[18][19] but its terms were rejected by Israel, which indicated it would continue both negotiations and the military operation.[20] Israel conducted airstrikes on Rafah, entered the edges of the city, and seized the Rafah crossing, closing it.[18][21][22] Israel stated that the operation would not stop unless Hamas was eliminated or hostages were released.[23]
The humanitarian impact of Israeli operations has been high. About 300,000 displaced Palestinians were evacuated to zones alleged to be unsafe and lacking in supplies.[24][25] More than 80 Palestinians were killed and nearly 280 injured during Israeli strikes.[lower-alpha 2] In addition, events relating to the offensive resulted in the temporary closure of the Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.[30]