Israeli forces enter Gaza from north and south

The latest developments indicate that Israeli forces have pushed deeper into eastern Rafah, entering residential neighborhoods and dismantling the operational capabilities of Hamas's Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.

Israel has portrayed the operation as limited, but warnings from the US and other allies suggest that any major operation in Rafah could have catastrophic consequences for civilians. The Israeli military has pushed deep into Gaza's northern edge and recaptured territory previously claimed to be cleared of Hamas militants. Meanwhile, Palestinian civilians are scrambling to find safety, with some aid trucks being blocked by Israeli protesters.

The recent escalation of violence in Gaza has led to a significant humanitarian crisis. Israeli forces have launched operations in Rafah, which borders Egypt, and have closed a main crossing point for aid, exacerbating an already dire situation. The closure has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee again, with many taking refuge in the area after being displaced by fighting elsewhere. Fighting has resumed in Jabalia refugee camp and Zeitoun neighborhood, with Israeli forces intensifying strikes on residential homes where civilians remain inside. Medical staff at Rafah's Kuwaiti Hospital have been ordered to evacuate, and the Health Ministry warns that the health system is at risk of collapse.