Multiple explosions reverberated through southern Gaza’s Rafah area on Monday night, escalating tensions following Israel’s rejection of Hamas’ ceasefire proposal due to unmet demands.
Explosions Rock Southern Gaza’s Rafah Amid Rising Tensions
The blasts, heard east of Rafah, prompted Israeli forces to issue civilian evacuation notices earlier in the day. While US sources express concern over the situation, they do not interpret it as the beginning of a major Israeli military operation.
According to reports from US sources to CNN, although they are closely monitoring the explosion reports and are “very concerned” about the current situation, they do not believe it signifies the commencement of a significant Israeli military action in southern Gaza.
Amid warnings of impending action, Israel issued evacuation notices for eastern Rafah. However, humanitarian agencies caution against a full-scale ground invasion, citing the heightened risk of suffering and casualties among displaced Palestinians. The absence of safe havens during conflict has drawn criticism from international bodies.
The US rejects the current plan for Rafah, citing the absence of a credible humanitarian strategy. They fear that a military operation could worsen Palestinian suffering and disrupt aid delivery. Pressure mounts on Israel from the international community to refrain from launching a ground offensive in Rafah, a vital refuge for displaced Palestinians escaping conflict in Gaza’s north and center.
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