The UNRWA stated on Sunday that around 300,000 people have fled Rafah in anticipation of a possible full-scale Israeli invasion.
The UNRWA reported on social media that roughly 300,000 people have fled #Rafah due to the ongoing forced displacement of Palestinians, with no safe refuge available. X.
The UNRWA is an organization under the United Nations responsible for aiding Palestinian refugees. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also mentioned on social media that about 300,000 Gazans relocated from Rafah to the humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi.
Israel has been preparing for an operation in Rafah for months, despite repeated warnings from the Biden administration. repeatedly warning against the move without providing a plan to safeguard civilians. Israel entered Rafah last week and took control of a border crossing for humanitarian aid, but has not yet initiated a broader operation.
Israel issued new evacuation orders in Rafah on Saturday as it prepares to expand its military operations. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Sunday that the U.S. has not seen a plan from Israel detailing how it intends to protect civilians.
“We believe two things. One, you have to have a clear, credible plan to protect civilians, which we haven’t seen. Second, we also need to see a plan for what happens after this conflict in Gaza is open — is over,” Blinken said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
“As we look at — at Rafah, they may go in and have some initial success, but … potentially at an incredibly high cost to civilians; but one that is not durable, one that’s not sustainable,” he added later on.
Biden said last week that the U.S. would halt sending offensive weapons to Israel if it invades Rafah. The Biden administration also said last week it would be delaying certain arms shipments to Israel amid the looming full-scale invasion of Rafah.
The World Food Programme also cautioned against a full-scale invasion of Rafah on Saturday.
“Families are once again on the move, searching for shelter, food, water – but with fewer resources. Until a ceasefire is agreed, access to lifesaving aid MUST be maintained. A full-scale invasion of Rafah would be catastrophic,” the program wrote.
