UN Aid Operations Halted Due to New Israeli Evacuation Orders
Facts
- A UN official reported on Monday that aid operations in Gaza have effectively halted due to new evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military. The orders were issued on Sunday night and affected Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. UN operations were not formally suspended, however.[1]
- UN humanitarian organizations were originally based around Rafah on the Gaza-Egypt border but moved to Deir al-Balah after Israel launched an offensive into the area earlier this year. UN staff reportedly have been directed to try and find a way to keep operating.[1]
- The evacuation orders led to Palestinians fleeing the area, including Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, the main hospital serving central Gaza. Israel did not call for the evacuation of the hospital, but patients and displaced Palestinians sheltering there fear that fighting could erupt or Israel could target it.[2]
- Meanwhile, a US official said that some progress was being made regarding cease-fire negotiations in Cairo, with another US official saying that talks were 'constructive and were conducted in a spirit on all sides to reach a final and implementable agreement.' Talks are expected to continue this week.[3]
- Mediators have continued to focus on Israel's military presence along the Gaza-Egypt border — often referred to as the Philadelphi Corridor. Israeli officials have reportedly reduced their demands in recent days, but Egypt and Hamas remain skeptical of any Israeli presence along the corridor.[4][5]
- Israeli media reported that mediators decided to set aside negotiations on the Philadelphi Corridor and the Netzarim Corridor — which bisects the strip just south of Gaza City — to the very end of talks.[6][5]
Sources: [1]Reuters, [2]Associated Press, [3]CNN, [4]New York Times, [5]Middle East Eye and [6]Timesofisrael.
Narratives
- Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by POLITICO. With the clock ticking, the US and its allies are confident that after some tough negotiating, a deal between Israel and Hamas can be reached. A guaranteed end to the war will ensure increased humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave, the release of Israeli hostages, and create a better 'day after' in Gaza without Hamas in power. The US will continue to work toward closing the gaps and ensuring that peace and stability can be restored to the region.
- Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Jerusalem Post. The battle for Rafah was so important because it allowed Israeli forces to prevent Hamas from utilizing its subterranean supply lines into Gaza. Indeed, preventing Hamas from re-establishing these supply lines will prove crucial in defeating the terrorist group, and Netanyahu is correct in making the Philadelphi Corridor a red line. Israel cannot repeat past mistakes and will continue to hold firm in its demands.
- Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye. Israel's aggressive posture only demonstrates that it's a rogue state that would rather light the region on fire than stop its genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Netanyahu continues to engage in provocative acts because he has failed to achieve his political and military objectives. While Netanyahu extends the war to ensure his political survival, the US continues to support Israel with a blank check and obfuscate its role in the carnage.