Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri described Israel’s evacuation order for Palestinians in the eastern areas of Rafah as a “dangerous escalation that will have consequences”. About 100,000 people have been told to leave and head for Al Mawasi, a so-called “safe zone” that has come under repeated attack since the war began in October. Israeli forces are currently operating in the eastern districts of Rafah, close to the Israeli border, according to the Kan public broadcaster.
