Israel orders Palestinians to evacuate last refuge in Gaza

Israel ordered new evacuations in Gaza's southern city of Rafah yesterday, forcing tens of thousands more people to leave as it prepared to expand its military operation deeper into what is considered Gaza's last refuge, in defiance of growing pressure from close ally the United States and others.

- BARNEY DAVIS & NEDAL HAMDOUNA

As pro-Palestinian protests continued against the war, Israel’s military also said it was moving into an area of devastated northern Gaza where it asserted that the Hamas militant group has regrouped after seven months of fighting.

Israel has now evacuated the eastern third of Rafah, and top military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said dozens of militants had been killed there as “targeted operations continued”. The United Nations has warned that the planned full-scale Rafah invasion would further cripple humanitarian operations and cause a surge in civilian deaths.

Meanwhile, a British-Israeli hostage held in Gaza has died, Hamas claimed yesterday. Nadav Popplewell, 51, who was taken hostage during the 7 October attack on Israel, died of wounds caused by an Israeli airstrike a month ago.

The Palestinian military group provided no evidence to support the claim, which has also not been verified by Israel or Popplewell’s hometown of Nirim. But the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is investigating and released a statement in which it said “our thoughts are with his family at this extremely distressing time”.

Yorkshire-born Mr Popplewell was captured with his mother, who was later released. His brother was killed in the October attack.

As the conflict continues, people in the northern Gaza cities of Jabalia and Beit Lahiya have also been asked to leave their homes. The move signals a further indication that the military is pressing ahead with its plans for a ground attack on Rafah.