Fears are growing of a fullblown assault in Rafah, long threatened by Israel, against holdouts of the Palestinian militant group Hamas as ceasefire talks in Cairo stall.
Hamas official Izzat al-Rashiq said in a statement that any Israeli operation in Rafah would put the truce talks in jeopardy.
There was no immediate comment from Israel, which Hamasaffiliated Al-Aqsa TV said had targeted areas in eastern Rafah near neighbourhoods given evacuation orders.
Instructed by Arabic text messages, telephone calls and fliers to move to what the Israeli military called an "expanded humanitarian zone" 20km away, some Palestinian families began trundling away under chilly spring rain.
Some piled children and possessions onto donkey carts, while others left by pickup or on foot through muddy streets.
"It has been raining heavily, and we don't know where to go. I have been worried that this day may come, (and) I have to see where I can take my family now," Mr Abu Raed, a refugee in Rafah, said.
A senior Hamas official said the evacuation order was a "dangerous escalation" that would have consequences.
"The US administration, alongside the occupation, bears responsibility for this terrorism," the official, Mr Sami Abu Zuhri, told Reuters, referring to Israel's alliance with Washington.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 07, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 07, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
HARD-EARNED WIN FOR MAX
Verstappen pushes flat out’ to hold off Norris at Imola for fifth victory of season
FLYING NEMO THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Pacific Vampire toothless at 3rd start, bubble burst by 281 shot
Generative Al falling short of promise to transform businesses
Enterprises underestimated what they needed, and overrated its business impact: Observers
China’s housing crash could set back millions of promising careers
HONG KONG - Ms Ivy Zhang figured she had it made.
Ever looked yourself up on a chatbot? Meta AI accused me of a workplace scandal
It has been more than a year since ChatGPT launched into the mainstream, but chatbots have not stopped lying.
600 among 25,000 who eraduated from polysabove age of 40
MOE hopes to see greater training participation in this age group after SkillsFuture top-up
Few early adopters seek repositioning of ERP 2.0 units to driver's footwell
Fleet operators say they have no plans to relocate units, citing absence of driver complaints
Plans to redevelop Bedok Stadium being studied
Public feedback invited with more diverse community, sport offerings on the agenda
Israeli opposition leader Gantz threatens to quit war Cabinet
He wants Netanyahu to offer plan to bring back hostages, end Hamas’ rule in Gaza
French forces act to take control of key road in New Caledonia
Territory has been convulsed by violence since May 13; factors include economic woes