Israel ordered further evacuations in the southern Gaza town of Rafah on Saturday as it prepares to expand its operations, saying it was also heading toward an area in northern Gaza where Hamas has regroup.
Fighting is intensifying in the enclave with violent clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants on the outskirts of Rafah, rendering crucial nearby humanitarian crossing points inaccessible and forcing more than 110,000 people to flee north.
Israel’s intervention in Rafah has so far fallen short of the planned full-scale invasion.
The United Nations and other agencies have warned for weeks that an Israeli attack on Rafah, which borders Egypt near major aid entry points, would cripple humanitarian operations and cause a disastrous surge in numbers civilian casualties. More than 1.4 million Palestinians – half of Gaza’s population – have taken refuge in Rafah, most after fleeing Israeli offensives elsewhere.
Army spokesman Avichay Adraee asked Palestinians in and around the towns of Jabaliya and Beit Lahiya to leave their homes and head to shelters west of Gaza City, warning that the people were in “a dangerous combat zone” and that Israel was going to strike with “great force”.
Heavy fighting is underway in northern Gaza, where Hamas appears to have regrouped again in an area where Israel has previously launched punitive attacks. Fighting broke out this week in the Zeitoun area on the outskirts of Gaza City in the northern part of the territory. Northern Gaza was the first target of the ground offensive. Israel said late last year that it had dismantled most of Hamas in the region.
Both regions play an important role in Israeli-Palestinian tensions.
At least 19 people, including eight women and eight children, were killed overnight in central Gaza in three separate strikes that hit the towns of Zawaida, Maghazi and Deir al Balah, according to the Gaza Martyrs’ Hospital. Al Aqsa in Deir al Balah and an Associated Press journalist. who counted the bodies.
Israel’s bombings and ground offensives in Gaza have killed more than 34,800 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians. and fighters in its figures. Much of Gaza was destroyed and around 80% of Gaza’s population was driven from their homes.
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Journalist Mednick from Tel Aviv and Magdy reported from Cairo
NBC Chicago
