Why Israel's ground offensive in Rafah crosses a 'red line'?

Despite grave warnings by the United Nations and global powers like the US, UK and Germany, Israel has launched a ground offensive in Rafah. The Israeli Defense Forces on May 7 sent tanks into the city in southern Gaza, and blocked its border crossing with Egypt.

The invasion came a day after it asked around 1.2 million people taking refuge in the area to flee and launched aerial strikes on Rafah. Civilians are now running for their lives or trapped with no food, fuel and other basic amenities.

Where will the refugees go?

When Israel launched a full-scale war against Hamas, in retaliation to the October 7, 2023 attack on the Jewish state, civilians got caught in the crossfire. Concentrating on Hamas strongholds in Northern Gaza, the IDF asked civilians to evacuate to the South. Rafah, soon, became home to 100,000 refugees turned out of their homes. Even after months of incessant airstrikes, bombing of schools and hospitals, shelling by ground troops and widespread search operations, Israel is yet to rescue about 130 hostages, still in the custody of Hamas.

But, President Benjamin Netanyahu has been very clear, that the nation would not rest until the hostages are rescued and the terrorist network is ‘dismantled’.

On May 5, Israel said it was sending troops into Rafah and asked refugees and civilians to evacuate. Within 24 hours, Israeli jets struck two areas in eastern Rafah. On May 7, Israel sent tanks into the are and blocked the Kerem Shalom border with Egypt. Refugees who were taking shelter in the previously declared ‘safe zone’ have been forced flee once again. But where will these people, around 1.2 million in number, go?

Israel suggested they head to Al-Mawasi and Khan Younis. But Al-Mawasi neither has the capacity to accommodate such a large population nor the infrastructure or basic amenities to support life. Khan Younis has already been destroyed by Israeli bombs in the early stages of the war. There is a famine there, along with scarcity of water and electricity.

Even if the Palestinians escape the Israeli attack, will they survive the lack of basic humanitarian needs?

How did the world react?

US released a statement saying it paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over fears it would invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Mediator Qatar urged the international community to prevent Rafah 'genocide'.

Russia insisted that Israel strictly observe international humanitarian law after the tanks rolled in.