The Israeli army on Monday ordered Palestinian residents to evacuate the eastern neighborhoods of Gaza's southernmost city Rafah, ahead of a planned offensive in the area.

Avichai Adraee, the spokesperson of the Israeli army, said at a press statement that "for all people who live in the neighborhoods of Al-Salam, Al-Jeneina, Tabba Zaraa, and Al-Byouk in the Rafah area in blocks 10-16, 28, and 270, the army will work with extreme force against terrorist organizations there."

He added that anyone who is near terrorist organizations is putting their lives and the lives of their families at risk, and urged them to evacuate these areas immediately to avoid any danger to their lives.

Israel considers Rafah the last major stronghold of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Located in the southernmost part of the Strip, Rafah shelters approximately 1.2 million Palestinians.

According to Israel's Channel 12 report on Monday, the Israeli military has already begun evacuating Palestinian residents from eastern Rafah communities to the so-called "humanitarian area." It is estimated that around 100,000 Palestinians live in the areas of Rafah that have been designated for evacuation.

In response, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has stated that it will not evacuate Rafah and will maintain its operations there for as long as possible, continuing to provide aid services to the local population.

UNRWA warned that the Israeli attacks on Rafah would result in more suffering and deaths for civilians.

UNRWA is a United Nations agency responsible for providing assistance and protection to Palestinian refugees. It operates in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, offering essential services to Palestinian refugees in these regions.

SHOTLIST:
Rafah City, Gaza Strip - April 29, 2024
1. Tents, displaced people;
2. Various of displaced people, their belongings on street;
4. Various of man getting on truck; people in truck;
5. Tents;

FILE: Khan Younis, Gaza Strip - April 11, 2024
6. Various of thick black smoke billowing from behind destroyed buildings;

Rafah City, Gaza Strip - Recent
7. Various of tents, displaced Palestinians;
8. Various of damaged building, debris, broken furniture, residents;

FILE: Gaza Strip - Feb 16, 2024
9. Various of damaged headquarters of UNRWA.

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