Israeli tanks encircle eastern half of Rafah, military confirms close-quarter fighting with Hamas
Tanks have divided the city in half, leaving the eastern side of the city encircled by Israeli forces.Israeli tanks captured the main road dividing the eastern and western halves of Rafah on Friday, effectively encircling the entire eastern side of the city in the southern Gaza Strip.
Israel has ordered civilians out of the eastern half of Rafah, forcing tens of thousands of people to seek shelter outside the city, previously the last refuge of more than a million who fled other parts of the enclave during the war. "I am trying to leave but I can't afford 2 000 shekels to buy a tent for my family," he said."There is an increased movement of people out of Rafah even from the western areas, though they were not designated as red zones by the occupation.The Israeli military said its forces in eastern Rafah had located several tunnel shafts and troops backed by an air strike fought at close quarters with groups of Hamas fighters, killing several.
The prospect of an assault on Rafah this week has opened up one of the biggest rifts for generations between Israel and its closest ally the United States, which has blocked shipments of weapons to Israel for the first time since the war began.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Now it's on Hamas': Blinken pushes for truce deal as Israel warns of Rafah offensive'Now it's on Hamas': Blinken pushes for truce deal as Israel warns of Rafah offensive
Read more »
Rafah concerns mount again; Israel yet to offer proof of UN staff’s Hamas tiesIsrael is returning its focus to eliminating in Rafah what it says is the last remaining stronghold of Hamas in Gaza.
Read more »
Israel rejects Hamas’ acceptance of truce deal; Biden, Netanyahu meet as IDF orders Rafah evacuationHamas said it had agreed to a ceasefire proposal put forward by Qatar and Egypt. However, Israel rejected Hamas’ acceptance.
Read more »
Israel attacks Rafah after Hamas deadly rocket attack - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world,Three Israeli soldiers were killed in a rocket attack claimed by Hamas armed wing…
Read more »
Biden will halt weapons supply if Israel attacks Rafah; Israeli war bill at $16bnThe move marked the Biden administration’s most serious signal of displeasure since the conflict began seven months ago.
Read more »
US pauses on Israel arms shipment over Rafah offensive; Israeli drone startup raises $40mDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday that the US had paused a shipment of ‘high-payload’ munitions to Israel for review over concerns about a potential military offensive on the Gazan city of Rafah. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday that the US had paused a shipment of ‘high-payload’ munitions to Israel.
Read more »