“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.”

Editorial

Updated 01 Aug, 2026

Maritime alliance

AS the US-Iran war drags on, new battle lines are being drawn. The pro-US Gulf Arab monarchies and Iran have enjoyed...
01 Aug, 2026

Local governance

INTERIOR Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s speech at a business summit on Thursday has stirred a hornet’s nest. His...
01 Aug, 2026

Murders in Balochistan

GOOD news is scarce in Balochistan. Seven labourers were abducted and gunned down in Turbat city recently. Four...
31 Jul, 2026

Expanding conflict

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31 Jul, 2026

Spoils and spats

A FIGHT over assembly seats in Azad Jammu and Kashmir has laid bare what seem to be some deep resentments between ...
31 Jul, 2026

Unfair tax system

THE disclosure that the FBR collected nearly Rs1.9tr in sales and income taxes through electricity bills over the...