On Monday, the Israeli military issued a comprehensive evacuation order for the southern Gaza Strip, suggesting that it may intensify its operations in the region. This order, which came during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, indicated renewed suffering for Palestinians in the southernmost city of Rafah, a city already devastated by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The war, which resumed two weeks ago after a months-long cease-fire collapsed, has instructed Palestinians to relocate to shelters in the northern coastal area.

This evacuation order follows a pattern of Israeli military advisories before both aerial strikes and ground maneuvers, aimed at targeting Hamas. The order affects not only Rafah but also parts of the neighboring Khan Younis, as announced by Avichay Adraee, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesman, through maps posted on his social media platforms.

Adraee emphasized that Israel’s military is stepping up its efforts to dismantle the capabilities of terrorist organizations in these regions. Earlier this month, evacuation orders were also issued for some neighborhoods in Rafah, reinforcing the current evacuation map.

However, it remains unclear how many individuals remain in Rafah and how many intend to heed these evacuation instructions. Before the war, hundreds of thousands lived in the city; however, significant parts of it have been destroyed. Adraee has previously issued evacuation orders for other parts of Gaza, but many residents have chosen to stay, indicating a possible disregard for these directives.

Since the conflict began, triggered by a Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, Palestinians in Gaza have experienced multiple displacements, leading to a miserable reality where many live in crowded, temporary shelters alongside strangers.

The Israeli military’s decision to resume operations against Hamas in Gaza on March 18 followed failed negotiations to extend a cease-fire that started in January. Despite ongoing discussions with mediators regarding a potential deal to reinstate the cease-fire, no agreement has been reached.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/31/world/middleeast/gaza-israel-rafah-evacuation-order.html