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February 19, 2024

Israel Warns of Rafah Invasion Within Weeks as Egypt Builds Enclosed Area Amid Fears of "Mass Exodus"
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Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz has warned that the IDF will
launch its ground offensive in Rafah unless Hamas frees all hostages by
March 10, the start of the holy month of Ramadan. Some 1.5 million
displaced Palestinians are now sheltering in Rafah. This is Rasheed Abu
Eda, who was forced to flee Jabaliya.

Rasheed Abu Eda: "We are fleeing to safety, the safety of our children,
our women and ourselves. And today we have reached the closest place to
the border. I am around 50 meters away from the border with Egypt. After
here, where can I go? I am 50 meters away from Egypt's border, and they
said Rafah was the safest place. We came to Rafah, and now the Israelis
want to enter Rafah. Where should we go?"

The group Sinai for Human Rights has released video which appears to
show the construction of a large area enclosed by concrete walls on the
Egyptian side of the border with Gaza. The group says the construction
is "in preparation for the reception of Palestinian refugees in the case
of mass exodus."


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