JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Talks involving the US, Egypt, Israel and Qatar on a Gaza truce ended without a breakthrough on Tuesday (Feb 13) as calls grew for Israel to hold back on a planned assault on the southern end of the enclave, crammed with over a million displaced people.
The city of Rafah, whose pre-war population was about 300,000, teems with homeless people living in tent camps and makeshift shelters who fled there from Israeli bombardments in areas of Gaza further north during more than four months of war.
Israel says it wants to flush out Hamas militants from hideouts in Rafah and free Israeli hostages being held there, and is making plans to evacuate trapped Palestinian civilians. But no plan has been forthcoming and aid agencies say the displaced have nowhere else to go in the shattered territory.
Israeli tanks shelled the eastern sector of Rafah overnight, causing waves of panic, residents said.
They said displaced people – dozens so far – had begun to leave Rafah after Israeli shelling and air strikes in recent days.
“I fled Al-Maghazi, came to Rafah, and here I am, returning to Al-Maghazi,” said Nahla Jarwan, referring to the coastal refugee camp from which she fled earlier in the conflict.
“Last night in Rafah was very tough. We’re going back to Al-Maghazi out of fear – displaced from one area to another. Hopefully, Al-Maghazi area will be safe, God willing.” But she added: “Wherever we go, there is no safety.”
Rafah neighbours Egypt, but Cairo has made clear it will not allow a refugee exodus over the border.
