The Israeli army said on Monday it was evacuating about 100,000 people from eastern Rafah, ahead of an expected ground assault in the southern Gazan city.
The military said in a statement that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) encourages the residents of eastern Rafah to advance towards expanded humanitarian area.
The prospect of an invasion in Rafah has triggered alarm from aid groups and world leaders, AFP News Agency reports.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday said Israel had yet to present “a credible plan to genuinely protect the civilians who are in harm’s way”, and without such a plan Washington “can’t support a major military operation going into Rafah.”
Soon after the war in Gaza began on October 7, Israel told Palestinians living in the north of Gaza to move to “safe zones” in the territory’s south including Rafah.
Meanwhile western countries including united states, France among others have objected the Israel moves.
France ‘strongly opposed’ to Israel’s Rafah offensive, foreign ministry says, ahead of expected ground Assault.
Gaza officials say Israeli jets strike two Rafah areas that the military had ordered evacuated.
The causalities is yet to be ascertain at press time.