The The Gaza Strip was the scene of heavy fighting this MondayThe To be continued during the holy month Ramadan unless Hamas releases hostageswarned Israel, which is threatening to invade RafahA refuge for thousands of displaced people in the south of the territory.
The The international community called for protection of the 1.4 million Palestinians huddled in this city on the border with Egypt after the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu announced his intention to attack it.
Benny Gantz, a member of Netanyahu’s war cabinet, warned on Sunday that the Israeli army was ready to enter Rafah even during Ramadan, which begins on March 10 according to the lunar calendar.
“The world needs to know, and Hamas leaders need to know: If our hostages are not home by Ramadan, fighting will continue everywhere, including in the Rafah area,” he said from Jerusalem.
“Hamas has the option. She can surrender, release the hostages, and the civilian population of Gaza will be able to celebrate the holiday of Ramadan.”the former general added.
The minister said Israel would facilitate the evacuation of civilians, although it was not clear where they would be relocated.
According to satellite images Egypt has started building a walled compound near the border. This appears to be a precautionary measure in the event of a massive arrival of refugees.
26 of the 27 countries of the European Union called this Monday for an “immediate humanitarian pause” and called on Israel not to launch a military intervention in Rafah.
Lula, “Persona non grata”
In response to the Hamas attack, Israel launched an air and ground offensive in Gaza on October 7 According to an AFP report based on Israeli figures, there was an attack on its territory that killed 1,160 people.
The Islamist movement, which seeks to “destroy” Israel, has also captured 250 people, 130 of whom are still being held in Gaza. According to the Hebrew state, 30 people would have died.
The Israeli military operation has already left at least 29,092 dead, mostly women, youth and children, according to the health ministry of the enclave, which has been ruled by Hamas since 2007 and is classified as a “terrorist” group by the United States, Israel and the European Union . .
The offensive resulted in a 19.4% decline in Israel’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the final quarter of 2023.
It has also brought him a wave of criticism. He Israeli Foreign MinisterIsrael Katz, declared Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva “persona non grata” on Monday. for comparing the war to the Holocaust.
The Brazilian leader on Sunday accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza and compared its actions to Adolf Hitler’s campaign against the Jews.
Netanyahu called his comments “shameful” and his government summoned the Brazilian ambassador to a meeting with the diplomatic chief at the Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem.
This Monday, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira summoned the Israeli ambassador and the representative of Brasilia in Tel Aviv for consultations.
Prospects for a ceasefire have dimmed in recent days despite efforts by Egypt, the United States and Qatar to reach an agreement.
Netanyahu reiterated his promise on Sunday to “finish the work towards complete victory” over the Islamist movement, with or without a deal over the hostages. AFP