Why is Rafah the new focus in Gaza war?

Israel is determined to launch a ground offensive against Hamas in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city. An Israeli airstrike triggered a fire that killed 45 people in a tent camp in the Gazan city of Rafah, officials said on Monday, prompting an outcry from human rights groups.

They had hoped last week’s ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Israel’s invasion of Rafah would be a turning point, ending the conflict. However, Israel has said it will not abide by the ruling.

So what is the significance of Rafah? And why is it now the focus of the Gaza war?

Rafah is a strategic city located on the border between Egypt and Gaza. It is also home to a large number of Palestinian refugees. In recent years, Rafah has been a flashpoint for violence between Israel and Hamas.

In 2014, Israel launched a major ground offensive in Rafah, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians. The offensive was widely condemned by the international community, and it is seen as a turning point in the Gaza conflict.

Since then, Rafah has been relatively quiet. However, the recent escalation in violence in Gaza has once again put the city in the spotlight.

There are several reasons why Rafah is now the focus of the Gaza war. First, Rafah is a major stronghold for Hamas. The group has a large presence in the city, and it uses Rafah as a base for launching rockets into Israel.

Second, Rafah is a key gateway into Gaza. Israel has been blockading Gaza for years, and Rafah is one of the few crossings that remain open. Israel has repeatedly closed the Rafah crossing in response to rocket attacks from Gaza, but it has been forced to reopen it under pressure from the international community.

Third, Rafah is home to a large number of Palestinian refugees. These refugees are particularly vulnerable to the violence in Gaza, and they have been disproportionately affected by the Israeli offensive.

The Israeli military has said that it is determined to destroy Hamas’s infrastructure in Rafah. However, it is unclear how Israel will be able to achieve this goal without causing further civilian casualties.

The situation in Rafah is fluid, and it is difficult to predict what will happen next. However, it is clear that the city is now the focus of the Gaza war, and it is likely to remain a flashpoint for violence in the years to come.