The Israeli military has begun calling on Palestinians to evacuate eastern Rafah in the Gaza Strip ahead of the planned offensive, the Times of Israel reports.
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“The Israeli military has begun calling on Palestinians to evacuate the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah, located near the Israeli border, ahead of a planned offensive in the area in the southern Gaza Strip,” the publication said.
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As noted, civilians are being urged to move to the expanded humanitarian zone in the Al-Mawasi and Khan Yunis areas.
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On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. After this, fighters from the Palestinian Hamas movement entered the border areas, opened fire on military and civilians, and took more than 200 hostages. According to authorities, about 1.2 thousand people died.
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The Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords in the Gaza Strip, which included attacks on civilian targets. Israel announced a complete blockade of the enclave: supplies of water, electricity, fuel, food and medicine were stopped.
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The Gaza Strip has effectively been divided into southern and northern parts, and Israel is preparing for a ground operation in Rafah, which is considered the last stronghold of Hamas.
