Israeli tanks push deep into Rafah, signaling major offensive
Israeli tanks have penetrated deep into eastern Rafah, reaching some residential districts by Tuesday - Reuters reports. Earlier, at least 396,000 people evacuated the city.
The Israeli army, engaged in the conflict in the semi-enclave with the terrorist group Hamas, previously warned Rafah's residents that it planned to launch an offensive and issued an evacuation order for the eastern and central districts.
According to Israel, Rafah represents the last stronghold where untouched and fully armed Hamas battalions are stationed alongside an intact network of underground concrete tunnels.
- The tanks advanced this morning west of Salahuddin Road into the Brzail and Jneina neighbourhoods. They are in the streets inside the built-up area, and there are clashes - a Rafah resident reported to Reuters.
Earlier, Israel had declared its intention to capture Rafah even without the support of allies, arguing that the operation was crucial to eliminate the four remaining Hamas battalions in the city.
The armed wing of Hamas has announced that it destroyed an Israeli aircraft carrier with an Al-Yassin 105 missile in the eastern district of Al-Salam. Several Israeli soldiers were reported killed.
At least 396,000 people have evacuated
On Monday, the American portal ABC, citing UN agency information, reported that at least 396,000 individuals had evacuated from Rafah, situated on the border of the Gaza Strip and Egypt. The city, which hosted over 200,000 residents until October of last year, has also been home to more than a million refugees from the north of the Strip since the start of the war.
The US has warned that a full-scale offensive in Rafah, posing a risk to civilian residents, could jeopardize the prospects of a ceasefire and a broader peace agreement. On Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken once again voiced the United States' opposition to the offensive, cautioning in an interview with CBS that Israel could face a "permanent uprising".
A few hours later, Blinken discussed the Rafah operation with Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant - Reuters reported. The discussion focused on a "precise operation" in the city, as well as Israel's recent takeover of the border crossing in Rafah. Israel has consistently highlighted that the crossing, monitored by Egyptian forces, is not secure, allowing both weapons and unauthorized individuals to infiltrate the Strip through it.
