Thu. Dec 26th, 2024
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Israel has ordered tens of thousands of Palestinians sheltering in the southern Gazan city of Rafah to evacuate, ahead of a planned offensive. 

The eastern third of Rafah has now been evacuated.

Israel’s military says so far about 300,000 Gazans have moved towards Al-Mawasi. 

Aid agencies estimate Saturday’s order affects at least a further 40,000 people, with many fleeing to already crowded camps.

More than a million Palestinians have been sheltering in tent camps in Rafah, having escaped fighting elsewhere during the seven-month long war. 

Israel is determined to push ahead with its military operation in Rafah, where it says Hamas battallions have been deployed.

An aerial shot showing a tent camp where Palestinian refugees have been sheltering.
Displaced Palestinians preparing to evacuate a tent camp after Israeli forces launched a ground and air operation in the eastern part of Rafah.(Reuters/Hussam Al Masri)

The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has for weeks urged Israel against entering Rafah. 

The White House said on Friday it was watching the developments “with concern”. 

Joe Biden’s administration this week confirmed it had paused a shipment of thousands of bombs over concerns about Israel’s invasion of Rafah.

Israel’s military has also ordered residents and displaced Palestinians around Jabaliya in northern Gaza to evacuate. 

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say Hamas has reassembled in the area already previously targeted. 

The Palestinian health ministry said at least 37 people, 24 of them from central Gaza, were killed in overnight air strikes.

A man and three younger men move a trailer overflowing with goods wrapped in blankets.

Israel’s military says so far around 300,000 people have evacuated Rafah in Gaza’s south.(Reuters/Hatem Khaled)

Food running out

Humanitarian organisations say the closure of two key border crossings has meant food and aid is running out in Gaza’s south. 

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