Israel expands operations in southern Gaza, orders new evacuations in Rafah | World News

Israel has ordered new evacuations in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, adding to the tens of thousands of people already displaced as the conflict escalates. The move comes as Israel prepares to expand its operation into northern Gaza, where Hamas has regrouped.

The evacuation order has been met with heavy international opposition, with U.S. President Joe Biden stating that offensive weapons will not be provided to Israel for the operation in Rafah. The U.S. also criticized Israel for breaching international law protecting civilians in its conduct of the war against Hamas.

More than 1.4 million Palestinians, half of Gaza’s population, have sought refuge in Rafah, with many fleeing previous Israeli offensives. The evacuations are forcing people to return to areas devastated by previous attacks, with aid agencies warning of a surge in civilian casualties.

Humanitarian workers in Rafah are struggling to provide assistance to those displaced, as supplies are running low. The situation is dire, with fuel shortages threatening hospitals and aid distribution across Gaza.

Meanwhile, heavy fighting is ongoing in northern Gaza, where Hamas has regrouped. Israeli forces have urged residents to evacuate, warning of imminent strikes with “great force.”

The United Nations agency supporting people in Gaza estimates that around 300,000 individuals have been affected by evacuation orders in Rafah and Jabaliya. The situation remains tense as strikes continue to devastate the region, with civilian casualties mounting.

The conflict in Gaza has already claimed the lives of over 34,800 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The situation remains volatile, with no immediate end in sight to the violence and displacement plaguing the region.