Joel B. Pollak6 May 2024293
6:48
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) urged residents of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, to evacuate to nearby “safe” zones on Monday as a long-delayed attack by Israel against the last Hamas strongholds appeared to be imminent.
The apparent mobilization of the IDF came after Hamas fired rockets from close range at the Kerem Shalom crossing, where humanitarian aid crosses from Israel into Gaza, on Saturday, killing four soldiers and wounding several others.
The U.S. has been telling Israel, privately and publicly, not to attack Rafah since February. Israel insisted it would do so, regardless of international pressure and regardless of hostage talks, to complete its goal of destroying Hamas.
The IDF has been dropping flyers on Rafah with maps indicating where residents should take refuge during the fighting.
The IDF elaborated in a statement (original emphasis):
In recent hours, flyers were dropped calling on the residents of eastern Rafah to evacuate temporarily toward the expanded humanitarian area.
Calls to temporarily move to the humanitarian area are conveyed through flyers, SMS messages, phone calls and media broadcasts in Arabic.
…
Attached is the corrected version of the English translation to the flyers:
Red flyer:
To all residents and those currently in the areas of Al-Shuka, Al-Salam, Al-Janina, Taba Zaraa, and Al-Yarmouk, and the blocks: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 28, 270.
The IDF will be operating against the terrorist organizations in the area where you are located, as it has operated until now.
Anyone found near terrorist organizations endangers themselves and their family members.
For your safety, the IDF urges you to evacuate immediately to the expanded Humanitarian Area in the Al-Mawasi area.
We warn you that Gaza City is still a dangerous active combat zone. Avoid returning north of Wadi Gaza.
We warn you to stay away from the eastern and southern security fences.
Israel Defense Forces.
Blue flyer:
The IDF announces the expansion of the humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi.
From now on, the area will spread out from Deir al Balah in the north and up to blocks 2373, 2360, 2371 in the south and in the east to the center of Khan Yunis, as shown in the attached map.
In this area the expanded humanitarian aid will continue.
The IDF will continue fighting the terror organizations that use you as human shields.
Therefore:
Gaza City is a dangerous fighting zone; avoid crossing to the north of Wadi Gaza.
It is prohibited to come near the eastern and southern security fences.
more
https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2024/05/06/idf-urges-rafah-evacuations-drops-flyers-in-gaza-attack-imminent/