The Israeli army issued a directive to residents of the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah in the Gaza Strip to evacuate to humanitarian areas on Monday morning. This was done as part of a limited-scale evacuation operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and ensuring the return of kidnapped individuals. The IDF expanded the humanitarian zone in Al-Mawasi, providing field hospitals, tents, and supplies to support the evacuated population.
Israel had given Hamas an ultimatum to agree to a ceasefire by a certain date, with plans to launch an offensive in Rafah if an agreement was not reached. Talks for a truce had become tense over the weekend, with international mediators scheduled to meet in Qatar to try to resolve the situation. Despite pressure from various sources, including NGOs and international capitals, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued to assert his intention to launch a major military offensive on Rafah.
The area is significant not only due to its population density but also because it serves as a crucial land crossing point for humanitarian aid. An offensive in Rafah would pose a significant challenge to humanitarian operations in the region, according to warnings from the UN. The situation remains tense as negotiations continue, and the potential for a large-scale military operation looms.