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Israeli Forces Establish Perimeter Around Rafah Amid Gaza Operations
Rafah, Gaza Strip – Israeli military forces announced on Saturday the complete encirclement of Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city. This action is reportedly part of a previously declared strategy to take control of additional territory within the coastal strip, accompanied by the large-scale evacuation of civilian populations. The ongoing military operations in Rafah and broader Gaza region continue to escalate tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Evacuation Advisories Issued to Palestinian Civilians
The Israeli military has issued repeated evacuation advisories to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Rafah since operations in Gaza resumed on March 18. These advisories have compelled residents into an increasingly confined area bordered by the Mediterranean Sea.
Morag Axis Area Under Israeli Control
On April 2, Israel stated that its troops had initiated the seizure of an area designated as the Morag Axis. This area refers to the location of a former Israeli settlement that once existed between Rafah and Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
Mass Displacement from Rafah
Since then, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled Rafah, a 60 square kilometer region bordering Egypt to the south, seeking refuge from the escalating conflict.
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Rafah and Khan Younis Separated
“In the last 24 hours, troops from the 36th Division finalized the establishment of the Morag route, effectively separating Rafah and Khan Younis,” the military stated on Saturday, indicating further territorial gains in the ongoing Gaza offensive.
Background: October 7th Hamas Attack and Subsequent Offensive
The current Israeli offensive in Gaza was initiated following an attack on southern Israel by Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, on October 7, 2023. According to Israeli figures, the attack resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 individuals taken as hostages.
Casualties and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
According to health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave, over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive since its commencement. The majority of the population has been displaced, and significant portions of Gaza have been reduced to ruins, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Resumption of Offensive After Ceasefire
Israel recommenced its offensive in March after effectively ending a ceasefire that had been in place since January. The Israeli government maintains that the campaign will persist until the remaining 59 hostages are released and Hamas is eliminated from Gaza.
Hamas Stance on Hostage Release and Ceasefire Negotiations
Hamas has stated that it will only release hostages as part of a comprehensive agreement that brings an end to the war, rejecting demands to disarm. A Hamas delegation was anticipated to arrive in Cairo over the weekend to engage in discussions regarding new proposals for a truce, according to a source within the group, indicating ongoing efforts to negotiate a resolution to the conflict.