Israel and Hamas are fighting again in the Gaza Strip. The fighting is happening near the border with Egypt.
What is Happening?
- Israeli soldiers have been attacking the city of Rafah in Gaza.
- They say they are trying to put pressure on Hamas to agree to a ceasefire deal.
- But many civilians are living in Rafah who are caught in the fighting.
Israel reopened a border crossing to let aid into Gaza. But not much aid has been received yet. Hospitals in Gaza are running very low on fuel and supplies. Does this fighting put too many civilians at risk?
The Fighting in Rafah
Israel seized control of the Rafah border crossing into Gaza from Egypt. This is an essential route for getting aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel says it is doing “limited operations” against Hamas fighters in Rafah. But many Palestinian civilians fled to Rafah, thinking it would be safer than other parts of Gaza.
“Last time they told us to go to Rafah, saying there’s aid and it’s a safe place,” said one Palestinian woman. “But look, they came into Rafah. For now, I won’t go anywhere. I’ll stay here.”
Rafah is very crowded, with over 1 million people packed into a small area. Aid groups warn that heavy fighting there could lead to a “humanitarian catastrophe.”
Ceasefire Negotiations
Egypt is hosting ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel in Cairo. The two sides accepted a three-phase peace plan proposed by Egypt.
But Israel rejected that plan on Monday. They want Hamas to disarm and release Israeli hostages first before any ceasefire.
Israel says it needs to keep military pressure on Hamas to force them to accept terms for a lasting truce. Over 35,000 Palestinians have already been killed in this war.
Tensions With US Allies
The United States is a close ally of Israel. But the US halted a shipment of powerful bombs to Israel recently.
US officials are worried about high civilian casualties if those bombs are used in the densely-populated Rafah area.
“The US wants to ensure civilians are protected in Rafah,” said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
This decision shows growing tensions between Israel and the US over how Israel is conducting its offensive in Gaza.
What’s Next?
Both sides seem determined to keep fighting for now to gain leverage in the ceasefire talks. However, the humanitarian situation in Rafah could become desperate if the fighting drags on.
Aid groups are pleading for a pause in hostilities to get more food, medicine and fuel into the territory. Will Israel and Hamas agree to stop the violence soon to prevent more civilian suffering? Only time will tell.
