Israel’s military has issued an urgent evacuation notice to residents of eastern Rafah, following a warning from the country’s defence minister of impending “intense action” in the area,
Avichay Adraee, head of the Arab media division of the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, urged residents to “evacuate immediately” to designated humanitarian areas at the checkpoints for their safety. The call specifically targets individuals residing in the municipality of Al-Shawka and the neighbourhoods of Al-Salam, Al-Jneina, Tiba Zaraa, and Al-Bayouk in the Rafah area.
The announcement comes amidst the ongoing bombardment of Gaza, with significant devastation witnessed since October 7. Many residents of Rafah, already displaced multiple times, now face the prospect of further displacement amid escalating conflict.
Humanitarian agencies have cautioned against a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah, warning of heightened suffering and casualties among the 1.2 million displaced Palestinians in and around the city.
Northern Gaza is already grappling with a severe famine, exacerbated by months of conflict, as highlighted by the World Food Programme. Colonel Nadav Shoshani, the IDF’s international spokesperson, characterised the evacuation as a “limited scope operation” aimed at temporary relocation rather than a widespread evacuation.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Galant’s remarks to troops inside Gaza indicate preparations for intensified military action in Rafah and other areas.
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