Rafah has become a refuge for Palestinians fleeing the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, with more than half of Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip having fled toward the town.
Hamas reacted with fury to the planned invasion, telling the al-Aqsa TV channel that “any attack in Rafah will lead to the explosion of negotiations for a prisoner exchange,” according to Haaretz.
Western leaders have decried the invasion plan, warning of the harm to civilians seeking refuge in the city, were Israeli forces to go ahead with the planned assault.
U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell all issued statements on Israel’s plan calling it a “disaster” and warning of the “catastrophic consequences” for civilians.