Israel conducted a raid in two areas in the central part of the Gaza Strip, as reported by Qatar’s Al Jazeera. Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner General of UNRWA, expressed concern about Israel’s preparation for a large-scale military operation in Rafah. He highlighted that there are already more than 1.45 million displaced people in the south and that an offensive in Rafah would endanger these vulnerable populations. Lazzarini stressed the importance of exploring alternative solutions to prevent further violence and loss of life in the region.
The prospect of a ground operation in Rafah is causing anxiety among the people in Gaza, as they have nowhere safe to evacuate. Lazzarini emphasized that a ceasefire is urgently needed to prevent further casualties and called on the international community to intervene to stop the violence. The threat of an offensive in Rafah could lead to more deaths and exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in the area.
An Iranian analyst warned that Israel’s attack on Rafah could spark a regional war by inciting public opinion in Arab countries against their leaders. The goal of Israel’s operation in Rafah is to weaken Hamas and assert control over Gaza, potentially escalating tensions in the region. As international calls for restraint grow, Iran continues to demand an end to the attacks on Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.
Protests erupted in Tel Aviv demanding the release of hostages held in Gaza and calling for early elections to change the government led by Benjamin Netanyahu. The release of a video by Hamas showing two Israeli hostages alive further fueled the demonstrations. The hostages urged the government to negotiate to secure their release and avoid further violence. The situation remains tense as the international community seeks to prevent further escalation in the conflict.