The long-running conflict between Israel and Gaza is escalating rapidly. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to launch a major military invasion of the city of Rafah in Gaza, even if a potential ceasefire deal with Hamas is reached. The UN Secretary-General has warned that such an offensive would cause an “unbearable escalation” of violence and civilian casualties. Here are the key points:
- Israel threatens to invade Rafah city in Gaza despite ceasefire efforts
- The UN chief calls the potential Rafah offensive an “unbearable escalation.”
- Student protests demanding university divestment from Israel are escalating
Want to know more about the tense situation and what it could mean? Keep reading.
Israel Warns of Rafah Invasion
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly stated that Israel would launch a military assault on Rafah city in Gaza. He said this would happen even if a ceasefire deal is reached with Hamas.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel not to invade Rafah. He warned that an offensive there “would be an unbearable escalation, killing thousands more civilians.”
What’s Happening in Rafah?
Rafah is a city in southern Gaza where over 1 million Palestinians have taken shelter. They were told to evacuate there because it was considered a safe zone. However:
- Airstrikes have badly damaged many residential buildings in Rafah
- Large camps have been set up for displaced Palestinian families and children
- Plumes of smoke from Israeli strikes can still be seen near Rafah
An Israeli military expert believes Netanyahu will follow through on his Rafah invasion threat. She said Hamas still has solid military capabilities under Rafah that Israel wants to eliminate.
Ceasefire Deal on the Table
Currently, a potential 40-day ceasefire deal is being discussed. The key points are:
- Hamas would agree to a temporary truce
- In exchange, Israel would release some hostages it is holding
- The agreement aims to restore calm and allow displaced Gaza families to return home
However, there are doubts about the likelihood of the deal succeeding. A former Qatari intelligence official said it’s “unclear” if Hamas knows the total number and location of hostages held by Israel.
Rising Student Protest Movement
Across US university campuses, pro-Palestinian student groups are demanding their schools divest from (stop investing in) Israel over the Gaza conflict.
The protests have led to clashes with campus authorities:
- At Columbia University in New York, threats of student expulsions and suspensions have been made
- However, protest leaders say this won’t stop their movement
- At the University of Texas, police forcefully removed an encampment after warnings
The student rallies began at Columbia but have now spread to other schools like UNC Chapel Hill. Protesters there were recently detained after refusing to leave the area.
Looking Ahead
The situation remains highly tense, with the potential for further escalation if Israel follows through on its Rafah invasion threat. University protests demanding changes to Israeli policies are also gaining momentum across the US.
Only time will tell if cooler heads can prevail in de-escalating the crisis and addressing the underlying issues driving this longstanding conflict. What’s your view on finding a peaceful resolution?
