For the first time since October 7, reports from Gaza indicate that Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) tanks have advanced into central Rafah. Eyewitness accounts noted the presence of several tanks stationed near the Al-Awda Mosque, a significant landmark in the city. This move comes less than a week after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague ordered a halt to Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
On Tuesday, the IDF announced the deployment of six brigades to escalate their efforts in the region. The units involved include the 401st Armored Brigade, the Nahal Brigade, the 12th Brigade, and the Baysalah Brigade, traditionally a combat training school but now fully operational for this emergency. This strategic deployment aims to extend the ground offensive northwest towards Rafah's center.
Israeli tanks advanced further into Rafah, according to eyewitnesses, as the Israeli military said it was expanding operations in the city https://t.co/y4noCiEZTI
— WSJ Graphics (@WSJGraphics) May 28, 2024
Simultaneously, additional IDF forces are operating near the Philadelphia axis along the Egyptian border to dismantle Hamas tunnels. This coordinated effort is part of Israel's broader strategy to neutralize Hamas' operational capabilities in the region.
The advance into Rafah follows a recent airstrike in the city that resulted in the deaths of senior Hamas figures and reportedly caused over 40 civilian casualties, according to Palestinian sources. The attack has sparked global protests against Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describing the civilian deaths as a "tragic mistake."
Prior to Tuesday’s maneuver, IDF tanks were positioned on Rafah's outskirts near the Egyptian border crossing. According to local residents, these tanks had entered neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city, and are now spotted in central Rafah.
Rafah update & Hezbollah fires anti-tank missiles https://t.co/8NelIE9qn3
— IsraeliCitizenSpox (@IsrCitizenSpox) May 28, 2024
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reports that over a million Gazans have been displaced amid the ongoing conflict in Rafah. This follows reports that the IDF has managed to evacuate approximately 950,000 Palestinian civilians in the two weeks since May 6.
Currently, around 30-40% of Rafah is under IDF control, with the rest of the city largely evacuated. Many residents have sought refuge in northern Rafah, while others have moved to humanitarian zones in Al-Mawasi, Khan Yunis, and various camps throughout central Gaza.
The sighting of tanks near the Al-Awda Mosque has been confirmed by posts on Telegram channels frequently used by Palestinians in Gaza, highlighting the significant military presence in this central area of Rafah.
