In an unprecedented and swift move, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have successfully facilitated the evacuation of nearly a million Palestinians from Rafah, a Hamas stronghold on the Egyptian border, to designated humanitarian zones. This monumental effort, completed in just a fortnight, has stunned military and security officials alike.
According to IDF estimates, a staggering 950,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah, leaving only about 300,000 to 400,000 noncombatants in the coastal and central parts of the city. The IDF expects that the majority of the remaining civilians will stay put, mirroring the situation in Gaza City following previous IDF maneuvers.
The rapidity of this evacuation, including from areas without official evacuation orders, has taken security officials by surprise. The population of Rafah, which stood at 263,876 in early 2022, ballooned to over a million in the war's early weeks as residents from northern Gaza sought refuge.
Chef Hamada's new restaurant in Nusseirat, central Gaza Strip, is up and running and selling shawarma.
— Imshin (@imshin) May 19, 2024
In a matter of days ~800k Gazans packed up and moved out of Rafah. For months, the US tried to prevent the Rafah maneuver, estimating that civilian evacuation would take months… https://t.co/YfhQmCVF61 pic.twitter.com/8aV18pMJUv
Contrary to expectations from the Biden administration, which anticipated the humanitarian operation to last several months, the IDF has executed this phase with remarkable efficiency. The Israeli War Cabinet, prioritizing military pressure on Hamas to secure the release of hostages and achieve broader war objectives, greenlit the continuation of operations in Rafah on May 6.
Israeli troops swiftly seized control of the Gaza side of the Rafah Crossing with Egypt, supported by tanks from the 162nd Division’s 401st Armored Brigade. The phased nature of the operation, estimated to last around two months, allows for strategic pauses should a hostage release deal emerge with Hamas.
RAFAH evacuation
— Brian BJ (@iamBrianBJ) May 21, 2024
Check out what has happened to Rafah in 11 days. IDF working efficiently!
Civilians have evacuated. pic.twitter.com/tSI4AxqLpq
Despite President Joe Biden's preference for a limited operation focused on high-value Hamas targets and border security, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been adamant about the necessity of conquering Rafah. Netanyahu asserts that this is crucial to dismantling Hamas's operational capabilities, as the city harbors the group’s final four battalions and senior leadership, totaling around 3,000 terrorists.
The urgency of the operation is underscored by the plight of 128 hostages, believed to be held in Rafah for over 220 days. Notably, Israeli special forces successfully rescued two captives from the city in a daring February raid.
Remember how @UNRWA said it was impossible to evacuate Rafah?
— #EBluemountain1 🎗 (@EBluemountain1) May 20, 2024
This is the completely desolate neighborhood of Yabneh, not one civilian there and this is BEFORE IDF issues any evacuation orders. pic.twitter.com/IlsypTad9k
This highly efficient and decisive action by the IDF not only showcases Israel's military prowess but also highlights the complexities of the ongoing conflict and the significant humanitarian efforts intertwined with military strategy.
