“There is an extraordinary deep anxiety in Gaza” right now, as people fear a possible invasion of Rafah, says Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Al Jazeera reports.

The prospects of such an invasion “will all depend on whether a ceasefire deal will be reached this week”, the UNRWA chief said during a briefing in Geneva.

“People have not yet been asked to evacuate from Rafah,” he added. “But there is a sense that if there is not a ceasefire deal this week, it could happen at any time.”

Opinion

Editorial

New regional order
Updated 11 May, 2026

New regional order

The fact is that the US has only one true security commitment in the Middle East — Israel.
A better start
11 May, 2026

A better start

THE first 1,000 days of a child’s life often shape decades to come. In Pakistan, where chronic malnutrition has...
Widening gap
11 May, 2026

Widening gap

PAKISTAN’S monthly trade deficit ballooned to $4.07bn last month, its highest level since June 2022, further...
Momentary relief
Updated 10 May, 2026

Momentary relief

THE IMF’s approval of the latest review of Pakistan’s ongoing Fund programme comes at a moment of growing global...
India’s global shame
10 May, 2026

India’s global shame

INDIA’s rabid streak is at an all-time high. Prejudice is now an organised movement to erase religious freedoms ...
Aurat March restrictions
Updated 10 May, 2026

Aurat March restrictions

The message could not have been clearer: women may gather, but only if they remain politically harmless.