Israel orders evacuation from more areas in Rafah, presses ahead with ground offensive

Israel on Saturday (May 11) released evacuation orders for Palestinians in several areas of Gaza's southern city of Rafah and asked them to progress towards an expanded humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi, indicating its further plans to expand ground offensive on the city.

Taking to social media platform X, a military spokesperson urged the residents and the displaced living in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza, and 11 other neighbourhoods in the enclave to immediately head to the shelters west of Gaza City.

As per reports, the IDFpublished a map marking somesectors of the city as “dangerous combat zone” and warned civilians,“Everyone in these areas is risking their lives and the lives of their family members. For your safety — we ask you to evacuate immediately to the humanitarian zone.”

As per the Palestinian news agency WAFA, 24 Palestinians lost their lives after Israeli jets hit several areas in central Gaza.

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Despite several humanitarian groups raising alarm bells, and pressure from the United States, Israel has stated that it will progress with its offensive in Rafah, where over one million displaced people have sought refuge during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

According to the Israeli military, nearly 300,000 Gazans have moved towards Al-Mawasi.

Hezbollah fires salvo of rockets at Kiryat Shmona

Meanwhile, Hezbollah on Friday (May 10) fired a salvo of rockets from Lebanon targetting the northern city of Kiryat Shmona. In response, the Israeli military launched a series of retaliatory attacks on the militant group's locations.

The army said that nearly 15 missiles were shot down by the Iron Dome, while the rest hit the city and caused extensive damage to property.

As per The Times Of Israel, the footage released from inside the city showed damaged buildings and vehicles that were burned out.

Reportedly, the rockets also prompted massive fires in the hills along Route 90 and 10 firefighting teams were deployed at the scene, said the Israel Fire and Rescue Services.

The Iran-backed militant group released a statement saying that it fired a barrage of "Katyusha rockets” at Israel’s north “in response to the Israeli enemy’s attacks on… civilians, most recently in Tayr Harfa.”

(With inputs from agencies)