Israeli airstrikes hit Rafah as thousands evacuate

Palestinians in eastern Rafah flee homes following Israeli evacuation orders

Ground assault expected as tensions soar in southern Gaza

The southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah has been hit by Israeli airstrikes, after the evacuation of thousands of Palestinians from the area earlier on Monday. Israel has ordered around 100,000 people to leave their homes in eastern Rafah, ahead of an expected ground assault on the area. The evacuation order has caused widespread panic and chaos, with residents fleeing with their belongings in tow. Many have sought shelter in UN-run schools and mosques in the city.

The Israeli military claims that the airstrikes are targeting Hamas militants and weapons caches. However, Palestinian officials say that the strikes have also killed and injured civilians. The death toll from the airstrikes is still unknown, but it is feared that the number of casualties could rise.

The evacuation of eastern Rafah is the latest in a series of Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip. In recent weeks, Israel has carried out a number of airstrikes and ground incursions into the territory, in response to rocket fire from Gaza militants. The violence has raised fears of a wider conflict between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that controls the Gaza Strip.

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