Gazans flee Rafah after Israel military orders evacuation

‘We took our children and only what was necessary. We left everything behind,’ says Najah Dhahir; Hamas issues call to fight plans to displace Gaza's people

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The Israeli military on Monday ordered residents in and around the southern Gaza city of Rafah to evacuate their homes, suggesting it could return to ground fighting in the area.

In a post on X, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee addressed residents in areas covering all of Rafah and parts of nearby Khan Younis.

“The IDF (military) is returning to fight with great force to eliminate the capabilities of Palestinian organizations in the areas. For your safety, the army must move immediately to the shelters in Al Mawasi,” northwest of Rafah, he said.

AFPTV footage from the city showed long lines of people fleeing their homes on Monday.

Some travelled on foot or by bike, while others pushed makeshift carts loaded with belongings.

Donkey-pulled carts rolled down streets next to trucks piled high with blankets, mattresses and other household items. A map was published today, entirely in red, indicating the area of Rafah that evacuates. Rafah resident Ali Mansour told AFP: “I am currently on foot, there is no transportation, and I do not have the fare for a car ride. As you can see, we have no luggage with us - we left all our belongings behind.”