Israeli army orders partial evacuation of Rafah for “limited operation” against Hamas

The Israeli army says it is “encouraging” residents of the eastern part of the city to “temporarily” move to a so-called humanitarian zone, specifically the Al Mawasi camp on the Mediterranean Sea. That is located a few kilometers north of Rafah.

The army says it communicates by calling or texting people or through leaflets and messages in Arabic in the media.

According to the army, the partial evacuation is part of a “limited operation” against Hamas. A comprehensive ground offensive would therefore not be immediate. According to the army, this would involve “approximately 100,000 people”. There would also be no deadline imposed.

Hamas calls the partial evacuation of Rafah a “dangerous escalation that will have consequences.” According to the Palestinian extremist group, Israel has also carried out airstrikes on the east of Rafah, near neighborhoods that were ordered to evacuate. There is no independent confirmation of this yet.

Rafah was also bombed last night. 16 Palestinians were killed in 2 Israeli airstrikes.