Israel’s military said on Monday it had begun encouraging residents of Rafah to evacuate the southern Gazan city as part of a ‘limited scope’ operation, but did not immediately confirm media reports this was part of preparation for a ground assault.

Seven months into its offensive against Hamas, Israel has said Rafah harbours thousands of the Palestinian Islamist group’s fighters and that victory is impossible without taking the city.

But with more than a million displaced Palestinians sheltering there, the prospect of a high-casualty operation worries Western powers and neighbouring Egypt.

In what appeared to be the beginning of a civilian evacuation ahead of a ground assault, the Israeli military called on Palestinians in eastern parts of Rafah to move to a nearby “humanitarian area”.

In a statement on Monday, the military said posters, text messages, phone calls and media announcements would be used to “encourage … the gradual movement of civilians in the specified areas”.

  • Linkerbaan@lemmy.worldEnglish
    222·
    6 months ago

    1. Go to Rafah there’s no Hamas there it’s super safe!

    2. Bomb all of Gaza to rubble with impunity (including Rafah)

    3. Hamas still not cleared from Northern or Central Gaza

    4. Whoa get out of Rafah that’s the last Hamas stronghold (ignore that Hamas is still present in the rest of Gaza) << You are here

    5. Commit Ethnic Cleansing and mass Genocide in Rafah

    6. Actually Hamas is still in the rest of Gaza Who’da thunk!! We need to continue the Genocide!