Israel Deploys Forces to Northern Gaza Alongside Rafah Operations

On Sunday morning, May 13, Israel deployed its ground forces towards the east of Jabalia in northern Gaza, alongside limited air and ground operations in Rafah. Amid concerns from the United States and other allies about the attack on Rafah, where approximately one million Palestinians have taken refuge, the Israeli cabinet agreed last week to a 'measured expansion' of military operations in Rafah. Jabalia is the largest refugee camp among eight camps housing over a hundred thousand people, most of whom are descendants of Palestinians displaced during the Arab-Israeli war in 1948. Late on Saturday, Israeli army forces prevented Hamas from rebuilding its military capabilities in the area. Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israeli army, told reporters, 'We have identified Hamas's efforts to rebuild its military capabilities in Jabalia in recent weeks and have begun operations to eliminate them.' Hagari also stated that Israeli forces killed about 30 Palestinian militants in operations in the Zeitoun area on the outskirts of Gaza City. According to Reuters, Hamas and Islamic Jihad announced they attacked Israeli forces in several areas within Gaza, including Rafah, with anti-tank rockets and mortars. On Sunday, as Israeli military pressure intensified, more families, estimated to be in the thousands, left Rafah. The Israeli army issued a new warning ordering the evacuation of more residential areas in Rafah. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his position in an interview last week that Israel has 'no choice' but to destroy the remaining Hamas brigades in Rafah. He stated, 'If we do not destroy them, if we leave them alone, they will return. They will emerge from the tunnels, retake Gaza, and carry out what they promised, which is the horrific massacre of October 7 again and again.' He added that Israel is 'not only facing the monster of Hamas but the entire Iranian terror axis.' He said, 'Rational people know we have no other option.' Iranian-backed Hamas militants killed at least 1,200 people in the October 7 attack on southern Israel and took about 250 hostages, including women, children, and the elderly. Several countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, and Israel, have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. The Israeli attack on Rafah and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state are currently the most important topics in New York and Washington. The Israeli army's order to residents of several other neighborhoods in Rafah: evacuate your homes. Israeli officials: ceasefire negotiations have not failed; efforts for an agreement continue alongside military operations. The Israeli cabinet's approval of a 'measured expansion' of military operations in Rafah. Netanyahu: we have no option but to destroy Hamas; we will overcome differences with the U.S.