The Gaza civilian Ministry of Interior building after Israeli air strike. Photograph by Ahmed Dalloul/IRIN
There are reports that negotiations in Egypt under President Morsi may have found success with both sides agreeing to a ceasefire coming into effect at 22:00 tonight. However, Israel has also dropped leaflets across various parts of Gaza explaining that the people should evacuate their homes to avoid harm, from which many have extrapolated that Israel is preparing for a ground operation.
The leaflet may not refer directly to a full-scale ground invasion, but does explain that a “limited deployment in parts of Gaza” would be imminent, and that sounds like boots on the ground. The detailed leaflet describes seven areas that should be evacuated, recommended routes of evacuation, and where to gather to avoid military assault such as in certain UN-run school buildings. The full English translation of the leaflet reads courtesy of Tom Rayner of Sky News:
To the people Sheik Ahjleen, Tel El Hawar, South of Rimal, Zaytoun area, Shajiah Toroukman and New Shajiah – the IDF is not targeting you, we do not want to harm your families.
For your safety you are requested to evacuate your houses immediately and move towards Gaza City Centre through the following routes:
– Cairo street
– Arabic countries university
– Al Aqsa street
– Um il Laymoun street
– Salahaddin
– Al Mansura street
– Baghdad street
Once you are in Gaza City you should stay west of Salahaddin, north of Omar Muktar Streets, East of Al Nasser street and south of Al Quds street.
This fight is temporary and the end of it you will all return to your homes.
By following these orders you will not be harmed.
The Israeli military has targeted the media buildings in Gaza, which means that it has been more difficult for Hamas to get their message out to the people of Gaza – a message in which they describe the leaflets being dropped by Israel as part of a “psychological war” and urge the people to stay at home.
Israel has always maintained that a ground assault was a possibility if Hamas continued to launch rockets over the border, although many are claiming that any such invasion would be more to destroy Hamas’ arsenal in order prevent Iran with having a nearby site from which to retaliate against Israel if their nuclear facilities are attacked in the near future. Iran currently supplies Hamas with much of the weaponry and rockets.
Whilst any ceasefire is a positive move, any future for a diplomatic solution would mean Israel stopping the blockade on the area which causes much hardship and poverty which in turn leads to support for Hamas who campaign on fighting Israel. Israel would also likely want assurances that would prevent Hamas launching future rocket attacks, but more importantly preventing rockets and other weapons being smuggled into Gaza from other states such as Iran.