Israeli tanks surround eastern Rafah and block humanitarian aid

Israeli tanks dominated this Friday, 10th, the main road that divides Rafahsurrounding the entire eastern half of the city in southern Gaza Strip. Residents reported to the news agency Reuters dseveral explosions and gunshots in the region, the result of intense fighting between the army of Israel and Palestinian groups Hamas It is Islamic Jihad.

According to militants, Israeli tanks were ambushed near a mosque in eastern Rafah, indicating that Tel Aviv forces had advanced to the outskirts of the city.

+ Israel attacks Rafah and ceasefire negotiations continue without agreement

Humanitarian help

Israeli troops’ control over access routes to Rafah, including passage through Egypt, has blocked the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. AThe United Nations has said its aid operations could cease within days as fuel and food stocks run out.

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“For five days, no fuel and virtually no humanitarian aid has entered the Gaza Strip, and we are scraping the bottom of the barrel,” said Unicef ​​Emergency Coordinator in the Gaza Strip, Hamish Young.

+ Israel criticizes US for threat to suspend arms shipments: ‘Disappointing’

Rafah was the last refuge for almost 1.4 million Palestinians who took shelter in the city to escape Israeli bombings on the rest of the Palestinian territory. Israel ordered 100,000 civilians to leave the eastern part of the city south of Gaza, which UNWRA, the United Nations agency there, described as “forced displacement”.

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American reprimand

The attacks on the place that houses more than 1 million Palestinians caused the President of the United States, Joe Biden, suspend parts of military assistance to Israel for the first time since the start of the war. The head of the White House acknowledged that “American bombs are killing civilians” in Gaza.

After the American warning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Thursday 9 that Israel would “fight with our claws” in Rafah if necessary. He also said he hopes disagreements with Biden can be overcome.

Israel claims it cannot win the war without attacking Rafah, considered Hamas’ last stronghold. The Palestinian group reiterated that it will defend the region. A new round of ceasefire negotiations ended on Thursday without bearing fruit, leaving the possibility of an agreement to suspend hostilities and the release of more than 100 Israeli hostages still in captivity more distant.