Fears Of Bloodbath' As Israel Ignores Ceasefire Offer And Prepares For Rafah Invasion

Israel has defied international concern and ordered the partial evacuation of Rafah – the last refuge in Gaza, where 1.4 million desperate civilians are braced for an impending ground assault the United Nations warned could lead to “bloodbath”.

- BEL TREW NEDAL HAMDOUNA

Western leaders expressed dismay that Israel might press ahead with an invasion of the tiny area despite a last-ditch bid by Hamas to secure a temporary ceasefire. Rishi Sunak said he was “deeply concerned... given the number of civilians that are sheltering there”, while Sir Keir Starmer said the Israeli offensive “must not go ahead”.

Israel says Rafah is the last significant Hamas stronghold but aid groups said leaflets and text messages ordering tens of thousands of civilians to leave the eastern areas were “unlawful and alarming”.

As residents began to flee the area, loading up cars and animals with their possessions, Hamas announced it had accepted an Egyptian-Qatari plan for a cessation of the conflict. But Israeli officials warned the plan “is not the framework Israel proposed”.

Palestinians greeted possible news of a last-minute ceasefire with jubilation, with some dancing in the streets late yesterday. But it was far from clear if Israel would reciprocate. Israel is under intense pressure to accept a ceasefire, not only from Western allies but also from the families of kidnapped Hamas hostages who protested in Tel Aviv late yesterday demanding a halt to the conflict.

It was also unclear how soon Israel might begin its invasion. Civilians were ordered to move north to an “expanded humanitarian zone” in Al-Mawasi around 12 miles away, as Israel prepared for a “limited scope operation”.