Rubble and Ruin: Israel’s “Limited” Operation Leaves Rafah in Shambles

Israel’s military operation in Rafah, which began on May 6, was touted as a “limited” effort to target Hamas fighters. However, two months later, the southern city has been reduced to a desolate wasteland, with over 150 Palestinian journalists killed in the process. The Associated Press photojournalist was one of the first foreign journalists to enter the city, which had sheltered over two million displaced Palestinians.

The city, which was once a safe haven for those fleeing Israeli bombardment, is now a ghost town. Abandoned apartment buildings lie in ruins, with shattered windows and blasted-out walls. The streets are littered with rubble, and the few remaining civilians are struggling to survive. The Israeli military has been accused of using disproportionate force, with over 70% of Gaza’s houses destroyed since October 7, 2023.

The International Court of Justice had ordered Israel to halt its military assault on Rafah, but the country has continued to target areas designated as safe zones. The humanitarian crisis in the city is dire, with nearly 40,000 people killed, half of whom are children and women. The United Nations estimates that about 50,000 people remain in Rafah, which had a pre-war population of 275,000.

The city’s residents are clustering in squalid tent camps along the beach, with limited access to basic necessities like clean water, food, and medical care. Efforts to bring aid into southern Gaza have stalled, as Israel has closed down the Rafah crossing and attacked aid trucks at the Karem Abu Salem crossing. The UN says that little aid can enter Gaza through this route, and humanitarian groups are warning that the situation is becoming increasingly dire.

The longer aid delivery is frozen, the closer Gaza comes to running out of fuel, which is essential for hospitals, water desalination plants, and vehicles. Most hospitals have been crippled by repeated Israeli attacks, and the World Health Organization has warned that critical services are at risk of disruption. “Injured people are dying because the ambulance services are facing delays due to fuel shortages,” said Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the WHO’s regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean.

As the humanitarian situation worsens, Israel is pushing ahead with its offensive. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that any potential ceasefire deal should allow Israel to resume its operation in Gaza. The Hamas group, on the other hand, wants an end to the war as part of any deal. The situation in Rafah is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of war and the importance of finding a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Key Points:

• Israel’s military operation in Rafah has left the city in ruins, with over 150 Palestinian journalists killed.
• The city was once a safe haven for displaced Palestinians, but is now a ghost town.
• The humanitarian crisis in Rafah is dire, with nearly 40,000 people killed and many more displaced.
• Efforts to bring aid into southern Gaza have stalled, with Israel closing down the Rafah crossing and attacking aid trucks.
• The situation is becoming increasingly dire, with fuel shortages threatening critical services like hospitals and water desalination plants.
• The conflict highlights the importance of finding a peaceful solution to the crisis.

Historical Context:

The conflict in Rafah, Gaza Strip, is part of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has its roots in the early 20th century. The conflict has been marked by periods of violence, including the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the 1967 Six-Day War, and the 2006 Lebanon War. The Gaza Strip has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, and the Palestinian territories have been subject to various forms of blockade and restrictions.

In recent years, tensions have escalated, particularly since the 2014 Gaza War, which resulted in significant destruction and loss of life. The current conflict began in October 2023, with Israel launching a military operation in response to Hamas rocket attacks. The operation has been criticized for its disproportionate use of force and targeting of civilian infrastructure.

Relevant Events:

• October 7, 2023: Israel launches a military operation in Gaza in response to Hamas rocket attacks.
• May 6, 2023: Israel’s military operation in Rafah begins, with the goal of targeting Hamas fighters.
• May 2023: The International Court of Justice orders Israel to halt its military assault on Rafah, but the country continues to target areas designated as safe zones.
• October 2023: The humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, with over 70% of houses destroyed and nearly 40,000 people killed.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Israel’s military operation in Rafah has left the city in ruins, with over 150 Palestinian journalists killed. • The city was once a safe haven for displaced Palestinians, but is now a ghost town. • The humanitarian crisis in Rafah is dire, with nearly 40,000 people killed and many more displaced. • Efforts to bring aid into southern Gaza have stalled, with Israel closing down the Rafah crossing and attacking aid trucks. • The situation is becoming increasingly dire, with fuel shortages threatening critical services like hospitals and water desalination plants. • The conflict highlights the importance of finding a peaceful solution to the crisis. • The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to halt its military assault on Rafah, but the country has continued to target areas designated as safe zones. • The humanitarian situation is worsening, with limited access to basic necessities like clean water, food, and medical care. • The United Nations estimates that about 50,000 people remain in Rafah, which had a pre-war population of 275,000. • The World Health Organization has warned that critical services are at risk of disruption due to fuel shortages and repeated Israeli attacks on hospitals.