The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Saturday encircled Rafah, cordoning off the southern Gaza terrorist stronghold from the rest of the Strip, Israeli media reports say.
“The Israeli military said on Saturday it established effective full control over the southern Gaza city of Rafah following its completion of the Morag route, separating Rafah from Khan Younis,” Israel’s i24NEWS reported.
The IDF is now in control of the Morag Corridor that separates Rafah from Khan Younis, and the strategic Philadelphi Corridor, the Hamas’ main weapons smuggling route from Egypt.
“Rafah, the Palestinian enclave’s southernmost city, is now completely surrounded by the Israeli forces, as the 36th Division is holding the Morag Corridor and the Gaza Division is securing the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border area,” the Israeli TV channel added.
Furthermore, the IDF issued new evacuation orders for the nearby Hamas-infested town of Khan Younis after terrorists fired rockets into Israel. “Following the Hamas rocket fire from the southern Gaza Strip on the border community of Nir Yitzhak, the IDF issues an evacuation warning for Palestinians in the Khan Younis area,” The Times of Israel reported Saturday. “Three rockets were launched by Hamas in the attack, with the IDF reporting that it shot down all of them.”
The Israeli news website YNET reported the ongoing counter-terrorism operation in and around the Rafah terror stronghold:
Earlier in the day, the military said it had completed its deployment along the Morag Corridor and effectively cut off southern Gaza from the rest of the coastal enclave. The military said its forces had surrounded the city of Rafah, destroyed underground tunnels and dismantled terror infrastructure. According to the IDF, dozens of terrorists were killed in the area over the past 10 days of fighting.“The IDF will continue to solidify its control on the main passageway and take action to thwart terror activity,” the military said in a statement.
In a separate report, the YNET noted:
Meanwhile, fighting continues across the Gaza Strip, along with a wave of new evacuation orders. IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued evacuation notices Friday for residents of several neighborhoods in northern Gaza, including eastern Shujaiya, Tuffah, and eastern Zeitoun. Shortly after the announcement, residents were seen leaving those areas toward western Gaza City.Evacuation notices were also issued for the areas of Khuza’a, Abasan al-Kabira, and Abasan al-Jadida. “The IDF has launched a powerful offensive. This area is considered an active combat zone. For your safety, evacuate immediately to shelters in Khan Younis,” the statement read.
The news comes as Israel intensifies the ground operation in Gaza after Hamas in mid-March rejected a U.S. ceasefire proposal, refusing to negotiate the release of 59 hostages, including the remains of 35 murdered Israelis.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, on Saturday, issued an ultimatum demanding the dismantling of Hamas, freeing all the remaining hostages, and an end to terrorist attacks from Gaza, the Jerusalem Post reported:
Defense Minister Israel Katz released a statement addressing Gazans on Saturday, following the completion of the IDF’s encirclement of Rafah and establishment of the Morag corridor separating the southern city from Khan Yunis.“This is the final opportunity to dismantle Hamas, release all the hostages, and bring the war to an end,” the defense minister said.”The IDF will soon intensify its operations across most of Gaza. Those who are interested will also be able to voluntarily move to various countries in the world in accordance with the vision of the US President, which we are working on,” he added.
The IDF was in “full operational readiness” against the terrorist onslaught on all fronts as Jews across Israel observe the seven-day Passover festivities starting this Saturday, the military sources say. “Despite the Passover holiday, the IDF remains fully operational across all fronts,” the Israeli news website Arutz Sheva reported Friday. “In Gaza, troops target terrorists and infrastructure, while Northern Command defends the Galilee and operates in Lebanon and Syria.”
Meanwhile, the IDF “Central Command secures key areas in Judea and Samaria” and the “IAF and Navy support missions across all sectors,” the Israel news outlet noted.
The Arutz Sheva detailed the Israeli military preparedness on multiple fronts:
In the Northern Command, IDF troops continue their mission to defend the communities of the Galilee and remain deployed along the entire border, including at five positions in southern Lebanon. The troops continue their mission to protect the communities in the sector.In Syria, troops are engaged in forward defense missions — removing threats, confiscating weapons, and continuing to operate to ensure the safety of residents in the Golan Heights.In the Central Command, IDF troops remain deployed and continue the defensive effort, maintaining security along roadways, recreational areas and tourist sites. The forces continue to operate in terror hotspots in northern Samaria. As part of the ongoing operation, forces conducted activity this week in Tubas and in Shechem (Nablus). Across villages in Judea and Samaria, troops are continuing overnight operations to counter terrorism.The IAF continues operating both defensively and offensively across all sectors, maintaining high readiness and wide deployment, the IDF statement said.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY