Israeli troops expanded their operation in Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, on Tuesday with tanks advancing towards the city center amid heavy gunfire.

Following hours of intense air and artillery bombardment of Rafah on Monday night, the Israeli ground offensive has forced tens of thousands of residents to flee.

"Based on the most recent information available, the Israeli armed forces have begun advancing towards the so-called 'red zone' in Rafah, which refers to the eastern neighborhoods near the city center. Eyewitnesses stated that the Israeli tanks entered the neighborhoods and engaged in clashes with armed personnel. At present, it remains uncertain whether these developments indicate the beginning of a full-scale Israeli offensive on Rafah," said Zhao Bing, a reporter from China Media Group (CMG).

"Although Israeli officials, including Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, had previously used terms such as targeted 'precision' actions to describe the Israeli military operations in Rafah, there are evident signs that the Israeli offensive is expanding. On Monday, the Israeli military announced that it had been attacking Hamas and other targets in the eastern parts of Rafah, particularly the border areas near Egypt. However, reports from Palestinian media indicated that Israeli forces carried out airstrikes and artillery shelling on dozens of residential buildings in the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah, leading to dozens of casualties and injuries," he said.

As Israel presses ahead with its military attacks in Gaza, the Egyptian government is considering downgrading its diplomatic relations with Israel, according to local media.

"The Israeli military operation has caused disapproval and concern in Egypt, which has refused to coordinate with Israel on the entry of aid supplies through the Rafah crossing. Local media, citing Egyptian officials, reported that Egypt is even considering downgrading its diplomatic relations with Israel," said Zhao.

"Regarding the Rafah crossing on the Gaza side currently occupied by the Israeli military, Israeli media reported on Monday, citing multiple sources, that Israel last week, through the United States, requested the Palestinian government to send personnel to work at the Rafah crossing. However, the Palestinian side declined. It is reported that Israel, under international pressure, hopes to reopen the Rafah crossing with the assistance of Palestinian entities unrelated to Hamas. However, as far-right officials within the Israeli government strongly oppose cooperating with Palestine, the country specified that the Palestinian personnel could not participate as representatives of the Palestinian government but only under the guise of the 'Local Aid Coordination Committee.' This decision has caused strong dissatisfaction among the Palestinians," he said.

On Tuesday night, an Israel Defense Forces spokesman issued a new "evacuation order" for multiple areas west of Jabalia in northern Gaza, requiring local people to evacuate to the west of Gaza City.

SHOTLIST:

Sderot, Israel - May 13, 2024
1. Tank moving in Gaza Strip seen from distance;
2. Smoke from distance;
3. Israeli national flag, smoke;

Jerusalem - May 14, 2024
4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Zhao Bing, reporter, China Media Group:
"Based on the most recent information available, the Israeli armed forces have begun advancing towards the so-called 'red zone' in Rafah, which refers to the eastern neighborhoods near the city center. Eyewitnesses stated that the Israeli tanks entered the area and engaged in clashes with armed personnel. At present, it remains uncertain whether these developments indicate the beginning of a full-scale Israeli offensive on Rafah. Although Israeli officials, including Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, had previously used terms such as targeted 'precision' actions to describe the Israeli military operations in Rafah, there are evident signs that the Israeli offensive is expanding. On Monday, the Israeli military announced that it had been attacking Hamas and other targets in the eastern parts of Rafah, particularly the border areas near Egypt. However, reports from Palestinian media indicated that Israeli forces carried out airstrikes and artillery shelling on dozens of residential buildings in the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah, leading to dozens of casualties and injuries.";

FILE: Cairo, Egypt - April 6, 2019
5. Egyptian national flag;

FILE: Cairo, Egypt - 2017
6. Cityscape, traffic;

FILE: Tel Aviv, Israel - June 2021
7. National flag of Israel;

FILE: Sderot, Israel - May 16, 2021
8. Streets, national flags of Israel;

Jerusalem - May 14, 2024
9. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Zhao Bing, reporter, China Media Group:
"The Israeli military operation has caused disapproval and concern in Egypt, who has refused to coordinate with Israel the entry of aid supplies through the Rafah crossing. Local media, citing Egyptian officials, reported that Egypt is even considering downgrading its diplomatic relations with Israel.";

FILE: Rafah City, Gaza Strip - March 23, 2024
10. Various of Rafah crossing point;

Jerusalem - May 14, 2024
11. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Zhao Bing, reporter, China Media Group:
"Regarding the Rafah crossing on the Gaza side currently occupied by the Israeli military, Israeli media reported on Monday, citing multiple sources, that Israel last week, through the United States, requested the Palestinian government to send personnel to work at the Rafah crossing. However, the Palestinian side declined. It is reported that Israel, under international pressure, hopes to reopen the Rafah crossing with the assistance of Palestinian entities unrelated to Hamas. However, as far-right officials within the Israeli government strongly oppose cooperating with Palestine, the country specified that the Palestinian personnel could not participate as representatives of the Palestinian government but only under the guise of the 'Local Aid Coordination Committee.' This decision has caused strong dissatisfaction among the Palestinians.";

Rafah City, Gaza Strip - May 11, 2024
12. Various of truck carrying fleeing Palestinians; pedestrians on road.

[Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]