As Israel prepares for the imminent ground invasion of Gaza, Former Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon responded to queries on where residents of the besieged Gaza Strip should go. In a defiant tone he responded that people in Gaza should evacuate their residences and relocate to the Sinai Desert in Egypt, where temporary tent cities could be established for them.
The response has shocked many analysts who have described the situation on Gaza as “ethnic cleansing “.
Many fear this could be a pretense to occupy Gaza Strip again as Israel has done for nearly years after the 6 day war in 1967 with Egypt, Jordan and Syria until 2005. Hamas took over the strip shortly after in 2006 , with a surprise win of a keenly contested legislative election. An outcome that shocked Israel and it’s western power allies.
Israel however maintains that whatever military action is taking place now is temporary and that Palestinians should be able to return back to their homes.
The situation in Gaza is dire as tens of thousands of Palestinians have taken refuge at the UNRWA-run schools in Gaza to escape Israeli air raids.
