In the aftermath of a surprise attack by Hamas that resulted in the death of 1,400 Israelis, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, declared war on Hamas and urged Palestinians in Gaza to evacuate. The Israeli government then launched a massive aerial bombardment, dropping 6,000 bombs on the densely populated region within the first five days. The Israeli government also ordered over a million people in northern Gaza to evacuate to the south within 24 hours.
Pressure on Egypt to Accept Palestinian Refugees
The evacuation routes suggested by Israel point towards the Egyptian border, indicating a possible intention to push Palestinians into Egypt. Western nations, including the U.S., are pressuring Egypt to open its borders and accept the influx of Palestinians fleeing the conflict. However, Egypt has remained firm in its refusal to allow mass resettlement of Palestinians in North Sinai, citing concerns about national security and potential war crimes.
Video: Watch as GV Wire’s Darius Assemi discusses how Israel may try to push the Palestinians into Egypt.
Dire Humanitarian Situation in Gaza
Despite the international pressure, Egypt has agreed to allow foreigners and Palestinian dual nationals through the Rafah crossing, provided Israel allows humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with shortages of food, water, medicine, and other essential supplies. The death toll in Gaza has reached 3,478, including over a thousand children, and about a million people have been displaced.
Historical Attempts at Palestinian Resettlement
The idea of relocating Palestinians from Gaza to Sinai is not new. It was first proposed by the UN in the mid-1950s but was met with widespread outrage and resistance. Israel’s current actions, supported by Western governments, suggest a possible attempt to drive Palestinians out of Gaza entirely.
Read more at The Guardian.
