Israel’s proposal to build a so-called “humanitarian city” on the ruins of Rafah in southern Gaza has drawn sharp criticism as a veiled attempt at ethnic cleansing.
The plan, outlined by Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz, aims to concentrate 600,000 Palestinians in Rafah, a move analyst Adel Abdel Ghafar calls “a blueprint for ethnic cleansing.”
Palestinians have firmly rejected this forced transfer, vowing not to be relocated from their homes.
The scheme aligns with Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza, where systematic efforts to depopulate areas of the besieged Strip have intensified.
The closure of the main Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution point in central Gaza has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, forcing desperate Palestinians to undertake dangerous journeys to Rafah for aid.
Israeli drones monitor the route, and recent attacks near GHF aid centers have killed at least eight Palestinians, according to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.
The concentration of aid hubs in southern Gaza aligns with Israel’s plan to relocate Palestinians, raising fears that Israel may forcibly prevent their return to other parts of Gaza.
The lack of clear information from GHF about aid distribution times and locations has led to chaos, leaving families empty-handed and vulnerable.
Israel’s systematic targeting of Gaza’s healthcare system has pushed facilities like al-Shifa Hospital to the breaking point.
A power outage at al-Shifa, caused by a lack of fuel for generators, threatens hundreds of lives as critical equipment in ICUs and dialysis units fails.
Nasser Hospital, the largest in southern Gaza, faces a similar crisis, with fuel reserves expected to last only 24 hours.
These attacks on essential infrastructure, in clear violation of international law, underscore the dire consequences of Israel’s actions in the besieged Strip.