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The IDF has begun evacuating civilians from eastern Rafah to a new expanded humanitarian zone which includes al-Mawasi and parts of Khan Yunis and central Gaza, the IDF announced on Monday morning. The evacuation comes ahead of planned IDF operations in the Rafah area.
The new humanitarian zone includes field hospitals, tents, and increased provisions of food, water, medicine, and other supplies.
Additionally, the IDF is working in cooperation with international organizations and several countries to allow an increase of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
The IDF, in accordance with a decision made by the political echelon, is calling on the population currently under Hamas control to evacuate temporarily from the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah to the new zone. The evacuation will be conducted in a phased manner in accordance with continuing situation assessments.
The call to evacuate is being made through leaflets, text messages, phone calls, and statements in Arabic.
“The IDF will continue to operate in order to realize the goals of the war, including the dismantling of Hamas and the return of all the hostages,” said the IDF.
Evacuation for limited area, US informed of decision
The evacuation was for a limited area as of Monday, including an area where about 100,000 people are believed to be staying at the moment, according to Israeli media.
The cabinet decided on the evacuation on Sunday night, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant informing US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin about the decision overnight.
The decision to launch the evacuation came after Hamas fired a barrage of rockets from Rafah towards the Kerem Shalom area on Sunday, killing three soldiers and wounding ten others. The area being evacuated includes the area where the rockets were fired from.
It is as of yet unclear if the evacuation indicates the end of efforts to reach a hostage release and ceasefire deal.
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