Israeli military tells Palestinian civilians in parts of Rafah to ‘evacuate immediately'

More than 1.2 million people are currently sheltering in Rafah, most of whom fled other parts of the Gaza Strip, predominantly living in tents and without access to sufficient water, food, and basic medicine. The White House, as well as other multinational organizations, has urged Israel against an offensive in Rafah, warning of catastrophic humanitarian consequences. Israel’s military has begun evacuating Palestinians from parts of Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, ahead of an expected military operation where roughly half of the enclave’s entire population is sheltering. Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu said that an operation there is essential to his country winning the war against Hamas.