Palestinians who had taken refuge in Rafah, leave the city to return to Khan Yunis after Israel pulled its ground forces out of the southern Gaza Strip, on April 7, 2024, six months into the devastating war sparked by the Oct. 7 attacks. (Credit: Mohammed Abed/AFP)
BEIRUT — The Israeli army is planning an evacuation operation of Rafah, in southern Gaza, lasting two to three weeks, which would be carried out with coordination from the US, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, according to a report published Monday by the Wall Street Journal, which cites unnamed Egyptian officials allegedly briefed on the plan.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the Israeli military plans to move Palestinians in Rafah to "humanitarian enclaves" to be constructed within the Gaza Strip, which would include food, water, shelter, and medical services, according to the WSJ.
“One, it’s going to happen. Two, we’re going to have a very tight operational plan because it’s very complex there. Three, there’s a humanitarian response that’s happening at the same time,” an Israeli security official told the American newspaper.
Israel is preparing to move civilians from Rafah to nearby Khan Younis and other areas, where it plans to set up shelters with tents, food distribution centers, and medical facilities such as field hospitals, according to Egyptian officials.
The exact timing of the operation remains uncertain, contingent upon Israel's need to reinforce its military presence in the region beforehand. It is believed, especially among Israeli military officials, that eradicating Hamas' remaining battalions requires invading Rafah, where almost 2 million Palestinians, displaced from their homes by the Israeli offensive are sheltering, according to Al Jazeera's correspondents on the ground.
However, prioritizing long-term strategic objectives, such as controlling the Philadelphi Corridor, which runs along the border between Egypt and Gaza, is deemed crucial,WSJ reported.
The Philadelphi Corridor, an eight-mile strip, has historically facilitated the smuggling of weapons and contraband into Gaza, supporting Hamas and other armed groups. While Israel withdrew from the corridor in 2005, it maintains that the area's control is essential for security. Cooperation with Egypt is paramount due to the sensitivity of Israeli actions in southern Gaza.
Military analyst Ofer Shelah underscores the significance of establishing a "secure border to sever Hamas' supply lines from Sinai into Gaza." Speaking with WSJ he warned "against a large-scale military operation in Rafah," citing concerns over its complex terrain, rife with tunnels, and the potential humanitarian fallout.