Israeli forces have completed the encirclement of Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, as part of a plan to seize more areas of the enclave. The military has issued evacuation warnings to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, forcing them into a shrinking space limited by the sea. Troops have seized an area known as the Morag Axis, causing many Palestinians to flee Rafah, which borders Egypt to the south.
The Israeli offensive in Gaza began after Hamas attacked southern Israel, resulting in casualties and hostages. Over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive, with much of Gaza in ruins and the majority of the population displaced. Israel restarted the offensive in March to free hostages and eradicate Hamas from Gaza.
Hamas, on the other hand, insists on releasing hostages as part of a deal to end the war and has rejected calls to disarm. A Hamas delegation was expected in Cairo to discuss new ceasefire proposals. The Israeli campaign will continue until all hostages are freed and Hamas is removed from Gaza.
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