The Israeli military has issued an evacuation order for residents in and around Rafah, a city located in southern Gaza. The order signals a potential intensification of ground operations in the area, as the military aims to dismantle the capabilities of terrorist organizations operating there.
Avichay Adraee, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesman, addressed the situation through a post on X, urging residents of Rafah and parts of nearby Khan Yunis to evacuate. He emphasized the urgent need for residents to seek shelter in Al Mawasi, located northwest of Rafah, for their safety amidst the anticipated military action.
Footage from AFPTV captured scenes of mass exodus from Rafah, with long lines of people attempting to flee their homes. Many residents were seen traveling by foot or on bicycles, while others used makeshift carts to transport their belongings. Donkey-pulled carts and trucks laden with blankets, mattresses, and other essentials filled the streets as families hurried to evacuate.
Ali Mansour, a resident of Rafah, described the distressing situation, noting that a map released by the military highlighted the entirety of Rafah in red, indicating that all residents should leave. He expressed his frustration as he navigated the streets on foot, stating, “There is no transportation, and I do not have the fare for a car ride. As you can see, we have no luggage with us – we left all our belongings behind.”
Another resident, Najah Dhahir, was seen fleeing with her nine-month-old baby. “We took our children and only what was necessary, leaving behind all our belongings – our mattresses, our food, and our money. We left everything behind,” she lamented.
The Israeli military previously announced on March 23 that it had encircled the Tal al-Sultan area in Rafah, having warned civilians to evacuate earlier. The military’s stated objective was to dismantle the local militant infrastructure and target militants.
Rafah, strategically located along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, was previously subjected to significant Israeli military offensives, including one roughly a year ago. The recent wave of violence resumed on March 18, following a nearly two-month ceasefire, as Israel intensified its bombing campaign and launched a new ground offensive in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas, which resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
According to reports from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, at least 1,001 individuals have lost their lives since the resurgence of hostilities. Conversely, the Israeli death toll from the conflict stands at 1,218, as per an AFP tally based on official figures. The ongoing military campaign by Israel has claimed the lives of at least 50,357 people in Gaza, a majority of whom are believed to be civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
