Hundreds of Thousands Flee as Israel Seizes Rafah in New Gaza ‘Security Zone’

Hundreds of thousands of Gazans are fleeing as Israeli forces advance into Rafah, which has become a new “security zone,” Arab News reported. This mass displacement follows Israeli airstrikes that have killed at least 97 people, including 27 in a school sheltering displaced families.

The assault marks a significant escalation in the conflict, with Israel resuming military actions after a ceasefire that lasted since January. Residents are evacuating under threat of airstrikes, with many expressing despair over their situation.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that troops are seizing the “Morag Axis,” while Gazans fear permanent displacement and the loss of agricultural land and water infrastructure. The blockade on Gaza has created a humanitarian crisis, with over 50,000 Palestinians reported dead since the conflict began on October 7, 2023.

The military is also investigating the deaths of 15 Palestinian aid workers found in a shallow grave. As protests against Hamas emerge in Gaza, the group claims these demonstrations are manipulated by Israel.