Last Updated: February 26, 2024, 11:33 IST
Palestinians collect their belongings from their damaged house after an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. (AP Photo)
Israel proposes a plan to evacuate civilians from Gaza amidst escalating conflict. Political efforts for a truce continue amid fears of mass casualties
Israel’s military on Monday proposed a plan for evacuating civilians from the Gaza Strip after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a ground invasion of the city of Rafah was necessary for “total victory”.
This comes as foreign aid groups have expressed fears that such an operation will inflict mass civilian casualties. More than 1.4 million Palestinians have converged on the last Gazan city untouched by Israel’s ground troops. It is also the entry point for desperately needed aid, brought in via neighbouring Egypt.
Israel’s military “presented the War Cabinet with a plan for evacuating the population from areas of fighting in the Gaza Strip, and with the upcoming operational plan”, a statement from Netayahu’s office said Monday.
Prime Minister’s Office Statement:The IDF presented the War Cabinet with a plan for evacuating the population from the areas of fighting in the Gaza Strip, and with the upcoming operational plan.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) February 26, 2024
Doha Talks
Meanwhile, Egyptian, Qatari and US “experts” met in Doha for talks also attended by Israeli and Hamas representatives for the latest effort to secure a truce before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The US said ongoing mediation efforts produced “an understanding” towards a ceasefire and hostage release, while a Hamas source said the group insisted on the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
However, Netanyahu, who has dismissed the withdrawal demand as “delusional”, said a ground invasion of Rafah would put Israel within weeks of “total victory” over Hamas, whose October 7 attack triggered the war. “If we have a (truce) deal, it will be delayed somewhat, but it will happen,” he said of the ground invasion in an interview with CBS Sunday. “It has to be done because total victory is our goal and total victory is within reach — not months away, weeks away, once we begin the operation.”
The main UN aid agency for Palestinians urged political action to avert famine in Gaza. Dire food shortages in northern Gaza are “a man-made disaster” that can be mitigated, said Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. “Famine can still be avoided through genuine political will to grant access and protection to meaningful assistance.” The UN has said it faces restrictions, particularly on aid deliveries to northern Gaza.
Mediators Hope For Truce
Israel’s army confirmed Sunday the death of soldier Oz Daniel, 19, whose “body is still held captive by Hamas”, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which said he was killed on the day of the attack. Mediators have voiced hope that a temporary truce and a hostage-prisoner exchange can be secured before the start of Ramadan on March 10 or 11, depending on the lunar calendar.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II warned fighting during the holy month “will increase the threat of expanding the conflict”, according to a royal statement. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, whose country hosts Hamas leaders and had helped broker a one-week truce in November, is due in Paris this week, the French presidency said. Media reports suggest the warring parties are weighing a six-week halt to fighting and the initial exchange of dozens of female, underage and ill hostages for several hundred Palestinian detainees held by Israel.
(With agency inputs)
