Israeli forces push deeper into north and south Gaza

Thousands forced to leave tent camps in Rafah, say residents and Hamas media

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Israeli forces deepened their incursion into two northern and southern areas of the Gaza Strip on June 28, and Palestinian health officials said tank shelling in Rafah killed at least 11 people.

Residents and the Hamas media said tanks advanced farther west into the Shakoush neighbourhood of Rafah, forcing thousands of displaced people there to leave their tent camps and head northwards to nearby Khan Younis.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment.

Since May 7, tanks have advanced into several districts of Rafah and forces remained in control of the entire border line with Egypt and the Rafah crossing, the only gateway for most of Gaza's 2.3 million people to the outside world.