The evacuation of Rafah has begun

“Civilians are being urged to move to an extended humanitarian zone in the al-Mawasi and Khan Yunis areas,” the Times of Israel website noted.

According to the Haaretz newspaper, residents received calls to evacuate via voice messages, and international and Palestinian humanitarian organizations operating on the ground were also informed of the details.

Israel closes border crossing where humanitarian aid flows after shelling by Hamas

Near and Middle East

At the same time as the call for evacuation from Rafah, the Israeli authorities announced that they have expanded the humanitarian zone in the Al-Mawasi area, with field hospitals, tents and supplies of food, water and medicine in place. “The Israeli army will continue to pursue Hamas everywhere in Gaza until all the hostages it holds captive return home,” the Jewish state said at the same time, referring to the hostages that Hamas dragged from Israel to the Gaza Strip after last October’s terrorist attack.

The newspaper Haaretz pointed out that several hours before the call for evacuation, Israel announced that it would keep the nearby Kerem Shalom border crossing closed, through which humanitarian aid entered the Gaza Strip. The crossing was closed after rocket fire killed three Israeli soldiers at the site on Sunday. The Palestinian terrorist movement Hamas, with which Israel is at war, claimed responsibility for the attack.

At the same time, Israeli Defense Minister Jo’av Gallant said on Sunday that the operation in Rafah is expected soon.