Washington – As tensions rise in the Holy Land during Passover, the possibility of Israel launching a full-scale offensive into Rafah, a city in Gaza, looms large. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his allies are determined to eradicate the presence of the militant group Hamas in the city, despite skepticism from experts and concerns from foreign diplomats and aid workers.
The potential military action could result in a mass exodus of hundreds of thousands of Gazans, many of whom have sought refuge in Rafah after their homes were destroyed in previous conflicts. There has been speculation about whether Egypt would allow Palestinians to flee to safety in the Sinai desert, although Cairo has reservations due to internal security concerns and fears of Pan-Arab implications.
Leaders around the world have expressed the importance of protecting the civilian population trapped in Rafah. Calls for Netanyahu to reconsider the offensive have come from the Biden administration and key European partners, as Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi warned of “catastrophic consequences” of a ground operation.
Efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal have been ongoing through back-channel discussions, with an Egyptian delegation scheduled to travel to Israel. This renewed momentum comes at a crucial time when the likelihood of an offensive on Rafah appears to be increasing.
Domestically, Netanyahu faces pressure amid anti-government protests calling for the release of hostages and fresh elections. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with concerns about famine conditions in the north and the potential consequences of an offensive on Rafah.
Aid organizations warn that other parts of Gaza are ill-equipped to handle an influx of refugees from Rafah, with widespread destruction in cities like Khan Younis. International humanitarian nonprofits have urged the White House to protect Palestinian lives and maintain humanitarian efforts in the region to prevent a famine affecting hundreds of thousands of people.