The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have initiated evacuation procedures for parts of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, affecting an estimated 100,000 individuals. This move comes ahead of a planned ground offensive in the region.
Starting at 8 a.m., the IDF began distributing flyers, sending text messages, and making phone calls to residents of eastern Rafah, urging them to evacuate to designated humanitarian zones in the al-Mawasi and Khan Younis areas of southern Gaza. The evacuation order applies only to specific neighbourhoods in eastern Rafah, not the entire city.
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Israeli officials have cited the presence of Hamas militants in the area as a reason for the evacuation. According to IDF reports, six Hamas battalions remain in the Gaza Strip, with four of them stationed in Rafah.
A map released by the IDF indicates that the evacuation zones include the Rafah crossing area on the Egyptian border, where three Hamas battalions are located.
The IDF stated that the evacuation is being carried out with the approval of the political leadership and is aimed at ensuring the safety of civilians in the face of potential military operations. The situation is expected to be continually assessed as events unfold.
