News about Rafah, Gaza

On 6 May, before and during the offensive, Israel struck Rafah at least 50 times. Later that day, in a limited invasion, the IDF entered the outskirts of Rafah and approached the Rafah Border Crossing and the Egyptian border. 20 Hamas gunmen were killed in the operation, according to the IDF.

RAFAH, Gaza Strip — More than 900,000 people have fled the city of Rafah and areas of northern Gaza since May 6, when Israeli forces sent evacuation notices, the United Nations says. The city had been the last refuge in the Gaza Strip for more than 1 million displaced Palestinians.

Hamas motivations Mohammad Deif, the head of the Qassam Brigades, said on 7 October that the Hamas attack was in response to what he called the "desecration" of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and Israel killing and wounding hundreds of Palestinians in 2023.