With the ceasefire with Hamas concluded, Israeli forces issued evacuation orders for the majority of Rafah on Monday, signaling a potential ground operation in the area.
The evacuation orders appeared to encompass nearly all of Rafah and its surrounding areas. The military directed civilians to relocate to Mawasi, where tent encampments have been established along the coast.
“The IDF is resuming intense operations to dismantle terrorist organizations’ capabilities in these areas,” an Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson stated on X. “For your safety, immediately move to the shelters in Al Mawasi.”
Earlier in May, Israel ended its ceasefire agreement with Hamas and resumed air and ground offensives against the group. In early March, Israel suspended all supplies and humanitarian aid to Gaza, aiming to pressure Hamas into accepting modifications to the ceasefire agreement.
In May, Israel initiated a in Rafah, causing widespread destruction. The military seized a strategic corridor along the border and the Rafah crossing with Egypt, Gaza’s only access point to the outside world not controlled by Israel.
Israel was initially expected to withdraw from the corridor under the ceasefire agreement but later declined, citing the need to prevent weapons smuggling.
Israel has stated its intent to intensify military operations until Hamas releases the remaining 59 hostages, including 24 believed to be alive. Israel has also demanded Hamas disarm and leave the territory, conditions not included in the ceasefire agreement. Hamas has rejected these demands.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that Israel would assume control of security in Gaza after the war and would propose a controversial plan to resettle the territory’s civilians in other countries.
This proposal has been universally condemned by Palestinians, who view it as a forced displacement from their homeland. Human rights experts also suggest the plan could violate international law.
Hamas has insisted on adhering to the signed ceasefire deal, which stipulated the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Negotiations regarding these aspects of the agreement were scheduled to commence in February, following the release of some hostages in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
The conflict began with a launched by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals, most of whom have since been released through ceasefires or other agreements.
According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli military’s retaliatory actions.
At the peak of the conflict, approximately 90% of Gaza’s population had been displaced, with many having fled their homes.
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