Israel’s gradual deployment of troops into Rafah appears to be the start of a full-blown invasion of the southern Gazan city, and the threat to civilians and blocking of aid have increased tensions with both the European Union and Egypt.
Israeli tanks and infantry were making their way neighbourhood by neighbourhood through the eastern part of Rafah, with the aim of eliminating the remaining Hamas battalions while seeking out leaders and hostages. The military gave advance warning to the more than one million Palestinians in the city, and hundreds of thousands have fled.
The step-by-step approach is in keeping with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow to invade Rafah without incurring major civilian casualties. The US, EU and other allies have been urging him for months not to proceed with an invasion, due to the risk to those seeking refuge. The humanitarian aid that flowed from Egypt through the Rafah crossing has stopped…..more
