Israeli tanks advance into Rafah amid evacuation of 396,000
Israeli tanks penetrate deep into Rafah, reaching residential areas.
Israeli tanks have penetrated deep into eastern Rafah, reaching some residential districts by Tuesday, reports Reuters. Earlier, at least 396,000 people evacuated the city.
The Israeli army, engaged in conflict with the terrorist group Hamas in the semi-enclave, had warned Rafah residents a few days prior of its intentions to enter the city with an offensive, issuing an evacuation order for the eastern and central districts.
"The tanks advanced this morning west of Salahuddin Road into the Brzail and Jneina neighborhoods. They are in the streets inside the built-up area and there are clashes," a Rafah resident told Reuters.
At least 396,000 have evacuated
On Monday, ABC reported, citing UN agency information, that at least 396,000 people had evacuated from Rafah, located on the border of the Gaza Strip and Egypt. The city, home to over 200,000 inhabitants until October of the previous year, has also become a refuge for more than a million refugees from the northern part of the Strip since the war's commencement.
The US has expressed concerns that a full-scale offensive in Rafah, putting civilian lives at risk, could undermine chances for a ceasefire and a broader peace agreement. On Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the United States' opposition to the offensive, warning in an interview with CBS of a potential "permanent uprising".
A few hours later, Blinken discussed the Rafah operation with Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as reported by Reuters. The conversation focused on a "precise operation" in the city and Israel's recent assertion of control over the Rafah border crossing. Israel has frequently highlighted the crossing’s vulnerability, noting its inadequacy in preventing the infiltration of weapons and unauthorized individuals into the Strip.
