Hamas preparing to face Israeli offensive in Rafah
Hamas is preparing to face an impending Israeli offensive in Rafah, according to The New Arab on March 28th.
Rafah, Gaza’s most southern city, is currently home to 1.3 million Palestinian refugees crammed in the city due to mass internal displacement resulting from Israeli bombardments, and could soon be facing a ground invasion.
On February 19th, the EU released a warning against the offensive scheme, claiming that Israel risks becoming a pariah state due to the IDF’s unrelenting massacre in Gaza.
Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin claimed that “an attack on Rafah would be absolutely catastrophic” as 90% of the population has been displaced in the area, as reminded by Germany’s FM Annalena Baerbock.
READ: Netanyahu “determined” to continue Rafah assault, snubs Biden
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also opposed the Israeli initiative, stating that it would be a mistake. “There is a false choice involved here… Hamas can be effectively dealt with without a major ground operation in Rafah”, he insisted.Â
However, Netanyahu declared that Israel is prepared to proceed with the attack, with or without US support.
On March 25th, Israel’s most powerful ally abstained on a UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire during Ramadan, causing tensions between Washington and Jerusalem. As a result, the Israeli PM unexpectedly cancelled his meeting with President Joe Biden.
Upon the end of the holy month, Hamas is preparing to face the anticipated onslaught. “The resistance has begun preparing for the Israeli manoeuvre aimed at invading Rafah … The Rafah operation will not be a walk in the park as the occupation leaders assume … fighters from all factions are fully prepared to inflict significant losses on the [Israeli] occupation army” declared its leader.
The New Arab and agencies