Operation in Rafah

08.05.2024

Operation in Rafah

   Why in the news?                          

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said they had launched an operation in Rafah, a city located on the Gaza Strip’s southern border with Egypt, to reportedly target Hamas.

What has Israel Done in Rafah?

• According to the IDF, its troops had established “operational control of the Gazan side” of the Rafah border crossing, which helps in the movement of goods and people between Egypt and Gaza.
•  According to the UN, more than 1.4 million people are currently in Rafah, which was once a city of 300,000 people.
• This is because Israeli forces attacked most other major areas of the narrow Gaza Strip. Since Gaza borders the Mediterranean Sea to its west and Israel to its east, its population has no other functioning checkpoints to exit the region at the moment.

Why Does Israel Want to Invade Rafah?

• Following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, Israel launched a military campaign on Gaza that has killed more than 34,000 people to date, the majority being women and children.
• Israel has claimed it aims to completely “eliminate” Hamas. According to the Israeli PM, it is impossible to achieve the war objective without invading Rafah, from where four Hamas battalions operate.

Why are the US and Other Allies Critical of Rafah’s Invasion?

• Though the US (Israel’s strongest ally) has been critical of the Israeli government at times, it has not been able to convince it to stop the attacks altogether.
• Egypt had threatened to suspend its 1979 peace treaty with Israel. Qatar and Saudi Arabia also warned of repercussions.

Key facts about the Rafah:

• It is  a city nestled in the southern reaches of the Gaza Strip, and holds a pivotal role in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant organization Hamas.
•  It is situated close to the border with Egypt. It has been in the spotlight due to its strategic location, historical significance, and the harsh realities faced by its inhabitants since the start of the Israel-Hamas Conflict.

Rafah City: Historical Significance

1967 War: Israel gains control of Gaza Strip, including Rafah City.

Geopolitical Dynamics: Shaped by conflicts and peace agreements

Impact: Region bears brunt of violence and displacement Rafah City Location and Connectivity

Location: Southern reaches of the Gaza Strip

Border: Shares border with Egypt

Importance: Crucial point of connection

Crossing: Rafah border crossing facilitates movement of goods and people

Proximity to Egypt: Access to Mediterranean Sea

Border Crossing: Critical gateway for trade and military operations

                                                      Source: Indian Express

Which of the following terms best describes the term Rafah, recently seen in the news?

A.It is a disputed territory between China and Russia in the  South China Sea.

B.It is a disputed territory between China and Vietnam in the South China Sea.

C.It is a city located on the Gaza Strip’s southern border with Egypt.

D. It is a territorial island dispute between Japan and the Russians.

Answer C