Reuters on April 24 quoted Israeli government sources as saying that after weeks of negotiations with the US on measures to protect civilians, the Israeli Ministry of Defense has purchased 40,000 tents, each with a capacity of 10 – 12 people, to make tents. accommodation for those about to be evacuated from Rafah. A video circulating online showed rows of square white tents being set up in Khan Younis, a city about 5km from Rafah.
Countdown each day
The Israeli government did not immediately comment. Israel has delayed the military campaign in Rafah for many weeks under pressure from the US and the international community. But anxiety has increased in recent days as the Israeli military increasingly signals that it is ready to enter Rafah.
Newly erected tents (upper left corner) near Rafah in satellite image on April 23
“Hamas has been hit hard in the northern region. They have also been hit hard in the center of the Gaza Strip. And soon, they will also be hit hard in Rafah,” said Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, commander of the Division. Israel’s 162nd group operates in Gaza, said on Kan Television on April 23. He warned Hamas to “raise its hands and surrender” once Israel sends troops to Rafah. “Rafah will no longer be the Rafah of today… There will be no more ammunition there. There will be no more hostages there,” he said. The Israeli army said on April 24 that it had mobilized two reserve brigades for missions in Gaza.
Saving the life of a fetus from a mother killed by Israeli bombs
Citing Egyptian officials informed of Israel’s plan, The Wall Street Journal reported on April 23 that Israel plans to move civilians from Rafah to Khan Younis over a period of 2-3 weeks. Israel will then send troops into Rafah, gradually increasing their numbers over time and targeting locations they believe are hideouts of Hamas leaders, in a campaign expected to last six weeks.
Smoke rising from Rafah on April 21
“Everyone seems to be counting down to the time war breaks out in the largest refugee camp on earth, Rafah,” AFP quoted Mr. Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council (a humanitarian organization). ).
Warning from America
Despite the rift in alliance relations, the US Congress passed a new aid package for Israel. However, Washington does not want the conflict to spread and has expressed concern about increasing risks in the Middle East. The US military on April 23 called on Baghdad to take measures to protect US forces in both Iraq and Syria after attacks by pro-Iranian militia groups.
“These attacks put coalition forces and Iraqi personnel in danger… If they continue, we will not hesitate to defend our forces as we have done in the past,” Reuters quoted the lack General Patrick Ryder, Pentagon spokesman.
After 2 years, the Palestinian widow is still waiting for justice
Meanwhile, Hezbollah forces in Lebanon said they used drones to attack Israeli bases north of the city of Acre on April 23. This is Hezbollah’s deepest attack on Israeli territory since the outbreak of war in Gaza more than half a year ago, according to Al Jazeera.
Protests boiled over at American universities
The pro-Palestinian protest movement is increasingly widespread at universities across the United States. At Columbia University, the center of the movement, protesters called on the school to divest from companies that “profit from racism, genocide and the Israeli occupation of Palestine”, according to AFP. At New York University, 133 protesters were arrested after the school called the police. On the West Coast, California State Polytechnic University announced it would close until at least April 24 after protesters occupied an administrative building.
Protesters’ tent at Columbia University (New York, USA) on April 23
