Israeli army conducted targeted strikes on Hamas militant targets in Rafah

The Israeli army has urged the peaceful residents of the eastern part of Rafah to move to a humanitarian zone for first aid and shelter.

"Tonight, we also call upon those staying in specific areas which we have communicated and defined through every means - radio, media, internet, and flyers - in eastern Rafah, to move towards the expanded humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi and Khan Yunis, where they will receive full humanitarian aid and where water, food, medical equipment, and shelter will be provided," said IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.

Israel war cabinet member Benny Gantz also stated that the military operation in Rafah is an integral part of ongoing efforts to return the Israeli civilians kidnapped by Hamas militants. He also noted that each decision would be submitted for consideration to the military cabinet, and there would be no political considerations.

What preceded this

Rafah is a city in the southern Gaza Strip near the border with Egypt. It is currently the only Hamas-controlled region in the Gaza Strip after the Israeli army occupied all other parts of the enclave. The city is home to 1.5 million refugees from other parts of the region.

Recently, senior officials and military generals in Israel have increasingly stated their intention to conduct a military operation in Rafah. They explained the need for a military invasion of the city by the presence of Hamas fighters among the civilian population, as well as the destruction of the terrorist group.

Yesterday, May 6, it became known that the Israeli military had begun urging residents of Rafah to evacuate from the eastern quarters ahead of the planned IDF offensive on the city. The Israeli army started distributing leaflets in the eastern part of Rafah, sending text messages, and calling Palestinians with evacuation instructions.

Earlier, according to Axios, the US suspended the supply of ammunition to the Israeli army, trying to delay the IDF advance on Rafah.

At the end of March, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Brown presented an alternative to the Israeli Defense Forces' ground offensive on the city of Rafah. The media reported that the White House administration called on the Israeli government to abandon a full-scale assault on the populated area.