Report: Tent Compounds Being Set Up Near Khan Younis

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Facts

  • Satellite photos analyzed by the Associated Press on Tuesday seemingly show the construction of tent compounds near Khan Younis, indicating that Israel is preparing to enter the Gaza border town of Rafah — in which over 1M displaced Palestinians have taken refuge.1
  • The images suggest that construction began on Apr. 16 just west of Khan Younis. Haaretz reported, without citing sources, that Egypt was constructing the tent compound ahead of a possible Rafah offensive by Israel.2
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has argued that Israel must enter Rafah to dismantle Hamas' remaining battalions. The US, which has increasingly been at odds with Netanyahu's government, has said any military operation into Rafah needs prioritize the protection of civilians.2
  • Meanwhile, an independent review commission by the UN has reported that it couldn't find any evidence that the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) staff were active members of militant groups. However, it clarified that the agency's vetting system was likely insufficient.3
  • The review, which called the UNRWA 'pivotal in providing life-saving humanitarian aid,' also clarified that it wasn't addressing Israel's accusation that some of the agency's staff participated in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.3
  • In other news, the UN said that the bodies of hundreds of Palestinians have been found in mass graves near al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Details of the reports are still unclear, and the remains are yet to be fully identified.4

Sources: 1Associated Press, 2The Times of Israel, 3New York Times and 4UN News.

Narratives

  • Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye. Israel has committed yet another terrible massacre in Gaza. There already is more than enough evidence to suggest that Israeli forces have consistently targeted civilians, even foreign citizens, in the country's campaign to starve the people of Gaza into submission. Indeed, it should be clear to everyone what would happen if Israel were to enter Rafah — it would mean the most heinous massacre of the war.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by NBC. Israel must be able to defend itself from terrorist attacks from Gaza or elsewhere, and the US is committed to preventing malicious actors from threatening Israel's legitimate concerns. However, the Biden administration is losing its patience with Netanyahu's intransigence. An Israeli offensive in Rafah would make worse the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which is already rapidly getting out of hand.
  • Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Jerusalem Post. Once again, the media is falsely portraying the situation in Gaza, as the 'mass graves' found over the weekend have a simple explanation. The military, while looking for the bodies of hostages, was forced to examine the bodies of Palestinians recently buried in the vicinity of the Shifa and Nasser hospitals, which it did respectfully. The bodies were then returned to their place. One should remember that Shifa was being used as a massive HQ for Hamas militants, and Israeli forces neutralized 200 terrorists there recently.

Predictions