Israel Issues New Evacuation Orders in Central Gaza as Destruction in Rafah Mounts

The Israeli army has ordered the evacuation of Palestinians from five neighborhoods in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, as it prepares for intensified military operations.

Army spokesperson Avichay Adraee shared a map on X detailing the evacuation zones, which include Al-Sahaba, Al-Samah, Al-Awda, Al-Zawaida, and Al-Salah.

Adraee described the directive as a “final warning,” urging residents to relocate to the Al-Mawasi area near Khan Yunis in the south ahead of what he said would be “intense attacks.”

Meanwhile, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with defense minister Israel Katz while en route to Washington, DC, Netanyahu’s office said.

According to the statement, Netanyahu ordered a “strong response” to rocket fire from Gaza and instructed for “continued intense attacks on Gaza.”
Katz said he conveyed orders to the army to carry out “very intense attacks” on the enclave.

In the southern city of Rafah, local authorities said on Sunday that Israeli forces have destroyed 90% of residential areas since the military campaign began in October 2023.

The government media office in Gaza said the army razed 12,000 square meters of land in Rafah, describing it as “one of the most horrific examples of genocide and ethnic cleansing in modern times.”
It said 85% of the city's sewage network has been destroyed, raising the risk of disease outbreaks.

All 12 medical centers in Rafah are now out of service, including Abu Youssef al-Najjar Hospital, which was demolished by Israeli forces using an explosive robot, according to the media office.
The office also reported the destruction of eight educational institutions and heavy damage to the remaining schools in the city.

More than 100 mosques have been destroyed or severely damaged, it added.

Rafah, which spans approximately 60 square kilometers and is home to 300,000 people, represents around 16% of Gaza’s total area.

The media office stated that 22 of the city’s 24 water wells have been destroyed, leaving tens of thousands without access to clean drinking water.

Additionally, 320 kilometers of roads in Rafah have been damaged or destroyed, rendering the area “contaminated and unlivable,” the office said.

It called for urgent international pressure on Israel to withdraw from Rafah, facilitate the return of displaced residents, open humanitarian corridors, and begin reconstruction.

Last weekend, Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to escalate military action in Gaza amid reported efforts to implement US President Donald Trump’s plan for the displacement of Palestinians from the territory.

Since the Israeli genocidal war began in October 2023, nearly 50,700 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, according to Gaza health officials.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its military actions in the enclave.