It appears that the Israeli army is carrying out an offensive in the city of Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip. It is not yet clear whether this is just the “limited operation” that the army announced yesterday or the precursor to a comprehensive ground offensive.
In any case, the Israeli army has taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing. Earlier last night, eyewitnesses reported that Israeli tanks had approached within 200 meters of the border crossing.
The border crossing is now closed on the Palestinian side, meaning no more humanitarian aid can enter, several sources within the humanitarian aid community say. The Kerem Shalom border crossing has also been closed for security reasons, the army says.
Israeli forces are now expected to search the area around the Rafah border crossing and prepare for additional missions, the army said in a statement. Israeli troops have also been active in “specific areas” of the city’s east since last night. According to the army, “the vast majority” of residents who stayed in the evacuation zone (see below) have left.
According to the Israeli army, about 20 armed Palestinians were killed last night. The army is also said to have destroyed three important tunnels.
Tags: Israeli army takes Rafah border crossing troops active east city
