Israel has announced the deployment of additional troops into Rafah as part of its ongoing efforts to combat Hamas terrorists in the region. This move comes amidst escalating tensions in Gaza, with the U.S. Military completing the installation of a floating pier off the coast to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery.
The completion of the American floating pier has sparked mixed reactions among Palestinian civilians, with some expressing concerns about the presence of foreign ships in the area. Despite the aid deliveries, Israel has intensified its strikes against Hamas in recent days, targeting the militant group across the Palestinian territory.
In central Gaza, a hospital is overwhelmed with injured patients awaiting treatment and evacuation. Calls have been made for the opening of the Rafah border crossing to allow humanitarian cases to receive urgent medical attention and medication.
Israeli forces have advanced into Rafah, cutting off the only exit route for Palestinians and prompting mass evacuations further north. Satellite images reveal the displacement of civilians as the conflict intensifies, with the Israeli military citing the evacuations as necessary for ongoing battles against Hamas.
Hamas continues to pose a threat through its network of tunnels, launching ambushes against IDF troops. Israeli forces have destroyed several tunnels and are preparing to eliminate more in the coming days.
Internally, the Israeli war cabinet is facing disagreements over the next steps in the conflict, while also addressing potential threats from Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group.
