Israeli Army Orders Evacuation of Rafah Ahead of New Offensive

The Israeli army has ramped up its attacks on Hamas, as it targets the terrorist group’s political leaders and seeks to seize and hold Gaza territory.

People fleeing Rafah arrive in Khan Yunis city following new Israeli evacuation orders, in the southern Gaza Strip, on March 31, 2025. Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images

The Israeli military issued evacuation orders on March 31 covering most of Rafah, the largest city in the south of the Gaza Strip.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) urged Palestinians to head to Al Mawasi, a refugee tent city along the coast. The order came during Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday marking the end of the month-long Ramadan fast.