Israeli Army Intensifies Operations in Rafah; International Concerns Rise Over Civilian Situation

On Friday, February 9, the Israeli army intensified airstrikes on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, despite criticism from Washington and warnings from aid groups about high Palestinian casualties if they advance into Rafah. According to Reuters, simultaneously, naval, aerial, and ground attacks by the Israeli army in the Khan Younis area in the south and in northern and central Gaza intensified to eliminate remaining cells of militants supported by the Iranian government and to destroy their infrastructure. Since Israel threatened a ground attack on Rafah, which borders Egypt, international concern has increased regarding the fate of hundreds of thousands of Gaza refugees who have taken shelter in Rafah. Washington stated on Thursday that it would not support Israel's military operations in Rafah without regard for the dire situation of civilians, with Biden describing Israel's response to the October 7 Hamas attacks, which are backed by the Iranian government, as 'excessive.' Hours after his remarks, Israeli warplanes conducted new flights over Gaza. Israel did not immediately comment on these airstrikes but stated that it is taking measures to prevent civilian casualties and accused Hamas militants of hiding among civilians, including in schools, shelters, and hospitals. Hamas denied this accusation. In recent days, the United States has made greater efforts for a ceasefire aimed at the release of hostages. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas's proposal for a ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages. Although the United States is Israel's most important ally, it has urged Israel to reduce its all-out war to a more targeted campaign against Hamas leaders. In one of his sharpest public criticisms of Netanyahu's government, Biden told reporters at the White House: 'As you know, I believe the response in Gaza has been excessive.' Biden stated that he has pressured for the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, increased humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, and a pause in the war for the release of hostages held by Hamas. Biden said, 'I am working hard for a ceasefire aimed at the release of hostages. Many innocents are dying of hunger, many innocents are trapped and dying, and this must stop.' Hamas had proposed a 135-day ceasefire during which all remaining hostages would be released, Israel would withdraw its forces from Gaza, and an agreement would be reached to end the war. This proposal was a response to a suggestion prepared by the heads of the CIA and Mossad with Qatar and Egypt and presented to Hamas. Netanyahu described the proposed conditions as 'delusional' on Wednesday and promised to continue the war, stating that only a few months remain until victory. Saudi state media reported on Friday that following U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's Middle East trip, which opened a glimmer of hope for a ceasefire agreement, several Arab foreign ministers discussed the Israel-Hamas war in Riyadh. According to the Saudi state news agency, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister, called for a meeting on Thursday in Riyadh, attended by foreign ministers from Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Hussein al-Sheikh, Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization. The Arab ministers emphasized the need for a complete and immediate ceasefire and the importance of taking actions towards implementing a two-state solution. The UAE state news agency also reported on Friday that Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, called for greater efforts to prevent the escalation of tensions in the region. Meanwhile, Syrian state media reported, citing a military source, that Syrian air defenses shot down two drones west of Damascus that had been launched by Israel from the Golan Heights. The Israeli army stated that it does not comment on reports from foreign media. Blinken's trip to the Middle East and the obstacles to the release of hostages held by Hamas and a pause in the war. Blinken: Hamas had non-negotiable demands, but there is room to continue working. Biden deemed Israel's military response in Gaza as 'excessive.' Israel intensified its bombing of Rafah; international efforts for a ceasefire continue. Exclusive: Two commanders of 'Kata'ib Hezbollah' were killed in a drone strike in Baghdad. High casualties among groups known as 'resistance'; at least 18 senior commanders of groups affiliated with the Islamic Republic have been killed in the past five months.