Heavy Fighting in Southern Gaza; Israeli Forces Continue Advance in Rafah

As southern Gaza is heavily bombarded by Israel, the country's tanks advanced on Wednesday, May 23, to the outskirts of a densely populated area in the heart of Rafah. The Israeli attack on Rafah has caused hundreds of thousands of refugees, who had sought shelter in the city over the past months, to flee. The Israeli army had previously asked them to move to designated safe areas before launching its military operations in Rafah. The Israeli army's cutting off of main aid routes to Gaza has raised international concerns about widespread casualties and famine in Palestinian areas. Israel claims it has no choice but to attack Rafah to root out the last battalions of Hamas that have hidden in the city. Israeli forces have been gradually moving towards the eastern outskirts of Rafah since the beginning of the month. Residents and Hamas militants report that Israeli tanks occupied new areas in western Rafah along the southern border fence with Egypt on Wednesday. They stated that Israeli forces are stationed near the 'Bina' neighborhood in central Rafah but have not yet entered the area due to intense fighting. Hamas claims its members inflicted damage on Israeli forces with anti-tank rockets. According to Reuters, citing some Palestinian civilians, drone, helicopter, and airplane attacks by Israel on Rafah continue intensely, while Israeli tanks are making limited advances. Israel has not yet issued urgent news regarding its attacks in the city. According to the Israeli army, its forces targeted several Hamas militants in 'Khan Younis' north of Rafah and areas in northern Gaza that had previously been cleared by Israel. Meanwhile, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that by Monday, May 20, about 800,000 Palestinians had fled Rafah to escape the Israeli attack on the city. The Israeli assault on Gaza is a response to the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 of last year, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people. Fighters from this Palestinian group also took over 250 people hostage. According to health officials in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks. Israel accuses this group, supported by the Islamic Republic, of using civilians as human shields. Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and several other countries. The Secretary-General of the World Health Organization described the situation in Gaza as 'beyond catastrophe.' Israel seized equipment from the Associated Press citing 'violation of law.' Sullivan's meeting with Netanyahu; the U.S. is trying to keep Israel's operations in Rafah 'focused.' The U.S. National Security Advisor met with Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia; Sullivan will travel to Israel after Saudi Arabia. UNRWA states that 800,000 people have been displaced since the start of Israel's military operations in Rafah. Israel found the bodies of three hostages kidnapped by Hamas in Gaza.