Many people in Rafah have to continue living their adrift and tumultuous lives there, while the Israeli Prime Minister has vowed to launch a ground attack on Rafah regardless of the outcome of negotiations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged on Tuesday to launch a ground attack on Rafah "with or without" a deal with Hamas. However, many people have nowhere to go.
In a temporary camp built by displaced people in Rafah, many Gazans have already begun packing their belongings and fresh water, preparing to leave.
People were waiting in the street for a vehicle or a carriage to take them away from the place where they might again be exposed to a large-scale attack by the Israeli army.
"The attacks and shelling by the Israeli military were very fierce in the past few days. I was sitting in my house when suddenly half of it was blown away. Later, I went to al-Mawasi and Khan Yunis. My relatives were there, and they told me that there was a relatively safe place there. So today, I decide to take my children there. Rafah and all places in Gaza are no longer safe," said Ahmed, a Rafah resident.
Karim Aziz and his family have been living in the temporary camp for nearly a month, and in the face of the unknown danger that will soon come, he also came to the streets to inquire about car rentals. But he and his family, who have fled seven times in the past six months, have almost run out of their savings. Karim doesn't know where to flee with his family this time.
"Now the Israeli military is still threatening to attack Rafah. But besides Rafah, where else can we escape to? There is nowhere to go. Continuous displacement has almost depleted all of our savings. There is no safe place in Gaza. This is the seventh time that my brothers, family, and I have been displaced. Over 20 of my relatives have no place to live and can only sleep on the streets. We are exhausted," said the Gaza resident.
Rafah residents confront heightened peril amidst Israel's planned attacks
Rafah residents confront heightened peril amidst Israel's planned attacks
Rafah residents confront heightened peril amidst Israel's planned attacks
Rafah residents confront heightened peril amidst Israel's planned attacks
Chinese President Xi Jinping held a restrictive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday at Zhongnanhai in Beijing, during which they had in-depth exchanges on strategic issues of common concern.
The world is undergoing changes unseen in a century and entering a new period of turbulence and transformation, Xi noted, adding that in the face of the ever-evolving world landscape with volatility and turmoil, China has maintained its strategic resolve.
He said that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have overcome various difficulties and challenges, and are striving to promote high-quality development and Chinese modernization.
China is willing to work with Russia and other countries to enhance solidarity and cooperation, steer global governance in the right direction, jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, and promote world peace and common development, Xi said.
Noting that China's development is unstoppable and that no force can contain China's growth and progress, Putin said that Russia is willing to improve cooperation with China and other Global South countries to promote international fairness and justice, and to work toward a more equal and multipolar world.
The two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis.
Xi elaborated on China's consistent position and efforts to promote the political settlement of the Ukraine issue, stressing that to deal with any major issue, it is necessary to address both the symptoms and the root causes, and to plan for the present as well as for the long term.
He said the core of the Global Security Initiative is advocating the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and the fundamental solution to the Ukraine issue is to promote the establishment of a new balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture.
Xi said China supports the convening of an international peace conference recognized by Russia and Ukraine at an appropriate time with equal participation and fair discussion of all options, so as to push for an early political settlement of the Ukraine issue, and China stands ready to continue to play a constructive role in this regard.
Putin introduced the relevant views and positions of Russia, saying that Russia appreciates China's objective, just and balanced position on the Ukraine issue and welcomes China to continue to play an important and constructive role in the political settlement of the issue. Russia is committed to resolving the Ukraine issue through political negotiations and is willing to demonstrate sincerity and maintain close communication with China in this regard, he said.
Xi said that over the years, they have had many meetings and every exchange has been candid, in-depth and fruitful.
Xi said he is ready to stay in close contact with President Putin and work together to steer the development of China-Russia relations in the right direction, guide the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era to achieve steady and lasting progress, bring more benefits to the two peoples, and contribute to world security and stability.
Putin thanked Xi for his warm hospitality, saying that he is willing to maintain close communication with Xi, implement the important consensus reached between them, and ensure the full development of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era.
Xi holds restrictive meeting with Putin at Zhongnanhai
Xi holds restrictive meeting with Putin at Zhongnanhai
Xi holds restrictive meeting with Putin at Zhongnanhai
