Sky News analysis of satellite imagery has revealed a concerning trend in Rafah, as hundreds of tents have been removed and Palestinians are fleeing the city, even from areas outside the official evacuation zone. The situation unfolded when Israeli planes dropped flyers warning of an impending offensive, leading to bombings that reached areas far beyond the designated evacuation zone.
Nahed Abu Eyada, a resident of Tal al Sultan neighborhood, more than 4km from the evacuation zone, experienced the impact of the bombings firsthand. Despite not being included in the evacuation order, the violence forced her and her family to flee to the overcrowded IDF-designated humanitarian zone in al Mawasi.
Satellite images from al Mawasi revealed the sudden appearance of hundreds of new tents since April 24, indicating a significant influx of displaced residents. While Israel officially ordered around 100,000 people to evacuate eastern Rafah, Sky News’ analysis suggests that the actual number of fleeing individuals may be higher.
The evacuation unfolded rapidly, with airstrikes and ground operations leading to the capture of the Rafah border crossing by Israel. Images showed a drastic decrease in the number of tents near the crossing, indicating a mass exodus of residents seeking safety.
The removal of tents extended beyond the evacuation zone, with satellite imagery showing the dismantling of camps even in areas more than 3km away. The situation has left many Palestinians in Rafah grappling with uncertainty and fear amid continued bombings and the looming threat of a wider Israeli offensive. The closure of the city’s largest hospital, al Najjar, further compounds the humanitarian crisis, leaving residents with limited access to essential healthcare services.