Ongoing Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip
Rafah offensive Part of the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip during the Israel–Hamas war Israeli Merkava tanks at the Rafah crossingDate 6 May 2024 – present (3 months, 1 week and 5 days) Location Status
Ongoing
Belligerents
Israel
Hamas Commanders and leaders
Yaron Finkelman [ 3] Itzik Cohen [ 4] Liron Betito[ 5] Benny Aharon[ 6] Omer Cohen[ 7] Yair Zuckerman[ 8]
Mohammad Shabana[ 9] Salame Muhammad Abu Ajaj † [ 10] Mahmoud Hamdan[ 11] Yasser Natat[ 11] Israeli claim: Mohammed Deif † [ 12] Yassin Rabia † Khaled Nagar †
Fares Abdel-Al † [ 13] Units involved
Israel Defense Forces
Ministry of Defense [ 27]
Shin Bet [ 33]
al-Qassam Brigades
Rafah Brigade
Eastern Rafah Battalion
Shaboura Battalion
Tel al-Sultan Battalion
Yibna Battalion
Al-Quds Brigades
Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades [ 34] National Resistance Brigades [ 35] Al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades [ 36]
Palestinian Civil Police Force Strength
Unknown
3,000–8,000[ 37] Casualties and losses
Per Israel: 28 soldiers,[ b] 1 Defense Ministry contractor killed[ 27] 74 soldiers,[ c] 1 Military Intelligence Directorate interrogator[ 32] and 2 Defense Ministry employees injured[ 27]
Per Israel: 1,000+ militants killed[ 55]
209+ Palestinians killed,[ d] [improper synthesis? ] 286+ injured[ e] 1 UN staff member killed,[ 69] 1 WHO staff member injured[ 57] 2 Egyptian border guards killed[ 70] 2 Israeli hostages killed (per Hamas),[ 71] 3 civilians injured[ 72] [ 73] 1,000,000+ Palestinians displaced (est.)[ 74]
On 6 May 2024, Israel began a military offensive in and around the city of Rafah as part of its invasion of the Gaza Strip during the Israel–Hamas war .
Before the offensive, about 1.4 million displaced Palestinians from elsewhere in the Gaza Strip had sought shelter in Rafah. In February, Israel announced its intent to invade in order to eliminate Hamas brigades it said were in the city.[ 75] In early May, as ceasefire negotiations stalled, Israel prepared for an operation and ordered the evacuation of eastern Rafah .[ 76] [ 77] On 6 May, Hamas accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar ,[ 78] [ 79] but Israel's war cabinet unanimously rejected it as "far from Israel's necessary demands", and indicated it would continue its operation.[ 80] Israel initially planned to launch a two division sweep across the city, but U.S. President Joe Biden considered a major attack into Rafah a "red line" that could not be crossed. This forced Israel to reduce the operation to capturing the border to seal off arms smuggling into Gaza, and rely on targeted raids into Rafah.[ 81]
After the rejection, Israel conducted airstrikes on Rafah, entered the edges of the city, and seized the Rafah crossing , closing it.[ 78] [ 82] [ 83] The IDF entered populated areas of the city on 14 May.[ 84] Israel stated that the operation would not stop unless Hamas was eliminated or hostages were released.[ 83] On 24 May, the International Court of Justice ordered an immediate halt to the offensive,[ 85] a position rejected by Israel.
The humanitarian impact of Israeli operations has been high. Over 1 million Palestinians were evacuated to zones alleged to be unsafe and lacking in supplies.[ 86] [ 87] [ 74] Almost 210 Palestinians were killed and 280 injured by Israeli strikes.[ f] [improper synthesis? ] Hospitals were in poor condition due to Israeli attacks and lack of supplies.[ 88] [ 89] In addition, events relating to the offensive resulted in the temporary closures of the Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza .[ 90]
^ Cite error: The named reference AAMB
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference Kathryn
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Or Heller (16 May 2024). "בצה"ל מעריכים: סינוואר עדיין בעזה; כ-950 אלף התפנו מרפיח Rafah" . Channel 13 (in Hebrew). Retrieved 28 May 2024 .
^ Cite error: The named reference Cohen
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Fabian, Emanuel (19 June 2024). "In Rafah, IDF focuses on tunnels with aim of destroying Hamas brigade within a month" . The Times of Israel . Retrieved 19 June 2024 .
^ Ben van der Merwe; Sam Doak; Olive Enokido-Lineham (7 May 2024). "How Israel launched its Rafah offensive and seized key border crossing" . Sky News . Retrieved 28 May 2024 .
^ Yonah Jeremy Bob (15 July 2024). "How IDF commandos destroyed Hamas recruitment center, PIJ rocket factory" . The Jerusalem Post . Retrieved 17 July 2024 .
^ Lazaroff, Tovah (19 June 2024). "In Rafah, 'there is almost no home without a tunnel,' says Nahal Brigade Commander" . The Jerusalem Post . Retrieved 19 June 2024 .
^ Nidal Al-Mughrabi (1 August 2024). "Who are the top Hamas leaders and commanders now?" . Reuters . Retrieved 2 August 2024 .
^ Cite error: The named reference Salame
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b Cite error: The named reference 23June
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Nidal Al-Mughrabi; Maayan Lubell (1 August 2024). "Mohammed Deif: Hamas military leader and Oct 7 mastermind was killed in Gaza airstrike, Israel says" . Reuters . Retrieved 2 August 2024 .
^ Cite error: The named reference Fares
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Egoz
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b Cite error: The named reference Zalata
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ "Israel takes control of Rafah crossing after deadly overnight assault" . EFE . 7 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024 .
^ "Israel takes control of Rafah crossing, Gaza's lifeline: What's going on?" . Al Jazeera .
^ "IDF soldier critically injured in Rafah fighting yesterday" . The Times of Israel . 4 August 2024.
^ Cite error: The named reference Bislamach
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ https://aje.io/kqar79?update=3029830
^ Cite error: The named reference 932nd
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ "IDF Deploys Fifth Brigade to Rafah as operation expands in southern city" . i24news.tv . I24. Retrieved 23 May 2024 .
^ a b Cite error: The named reference Malkia
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference Zeitoun
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference Desert
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference Gispan
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference contractor
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ "IDF major killed during fighting in Rafah today, says military" . The Times of Israel . 7 July 2024.
^ Cite error: The named reference Shaked
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ "Iran Update, February 12, 2024" . Institute for the Study of War . Archived from the original on 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024 .
^ Cite error: The named reference navy
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Unit504
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Fabian, Emanuel (8 May 2024). "IDF says around 30 gunmen killed in ongoing Rafah operation so far" . The Times of Israel . Retrieved 9 May 2024 .
^ "Institute for the Study of War" .
^ Cite error: The named reference DFLP
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ "IRAN UPDATE, JULY 18, 2024" . ISW Press . 18 July 2024.
^ Yonah Jeremy Bob (2 July 2024). "IDF, Netanyahu fought over PA in Gaza, now its about withdrawal - Analysis" . The Jerusalem Post . Retrieved 3 July 2024 .
^ Cite error: The named reference 550killed
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference Eyal
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b Cite error: The named reference Hadad
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b Cite error: The named reference Jalaa
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Fabian, Emanuel (26 July 2024). "IDF volunteer soldier killed in south Gaza fighting; 100 gunmen killed in Khan Younis" . The Times of Israel. Retrieved 26 July 2024 .
^ Cite error: The named reference Greenblatt
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference ftygm
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ "3 soldiers killed Tuesday in booby-trapped building in Gaza's Rafah, IDF says" . The Times of Israel . 29 May 2024.
^ "12 soldiers stung by wasp swarm after tank runs over nest in southern Gaza" . The Times of Israel . Retrieved 7 May 2024 .
^ Cite error: The named reference expand
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference Vaknin
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference Rotem
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference 11Jun
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference 46thbattalion
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference 2July
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference 24July
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Fabian, Emanuel (4 August 2024). "IDF soldier critically injured in Rafah fighting yesterday" . The Times of Israel . Retrieved 8 August 2024 .
^ Bohbot, Amir (30 June 2024). "Over 1,000 named terrorists killed in Rafah: What are the IDF's next steps? - analysis" . The Jerusalem Post . Retrieved 1 July 2024 .
^ Cite error: The named reference 900Halevi
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b Cite error: The named reference WHO
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ "Israeli military captures Palestinian side of Rafah crossing" . cnn.com . CNN. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024 .
^ a b c Cite error: The named reference RW1
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b c Cite error: The named reference RW3
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b Cite error: The named reference ISW
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b Cite error: The named reference May8
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b Cite error: The named reference WION
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b Cite error: The named reference RW2
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b Cite error: The named reference OCHA
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b Cite error: The named reference EWP
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b Cite error: The named reference PCO
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b Cite error: The named reference killed
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference UNK
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference Naguib
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference hostages
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference AFP
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference Herzliya
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b Cite error: The named reference million
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Boxerman, Aaron; Abuheweila, Iyad (9 February 2024). "Netanyahu Asks Military for Plans to Evacuate Rafah, Where 1.4 Million Are Sheltering" . The New York Times . Archived from the original on 10 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024 .
^ "IDF begins evacuating civilians from eastern Rafah northward" . The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com . 6 May 2024. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024 .
^ "Gaza war: Where has Israel told Rafah displaced to go?" . BBC. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024 .
^ a b Mednick, Sam; Federman, Josef; Mroue, Bassem (6 May 2024). "Hamas accepts Gaza cease-fire; Israel says it will continue talks but is conducting strikes in Rafah" . apnews.com . AP News. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024 . Hamas said Monday it accepted an Egyptian-Qatari cease-fire proposal, but Israel said the deal did not meet its core demands and it was pushing ahead with an assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Still, Israel said it would continue negotiations.
^ Cite error: The named reference frustrated
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference rejected
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Lieber, Michael R. Gordon and Dov. "How Israel Avoided Biden's Red Line" . WSJ . Retrieved 2 June 2024 .
^ Cite error: The named reference takescrossing
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ a b Fabian, Emanuel (7 May 2024). "Gallant: Rafah op will continue until Hamas rooted out or hostage deal reached" . Times of Israel . Retrieved 7 May 2024 .
^ "Soldier killed in south Gaza fighting, in first Israeli fatality of Rafah offensive" . Times of Israel. Retrieved 15 May 2024 .
^ Cite error: The named reference icj
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference unsafe
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference Mawasi
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference aje
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Cite error: The named reference National
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Vinograd, Cassandra (7 May 2024). "Israel's Closures of 2 Gaza Border Crossings Prompt Alarm Over Humanitarian Aid" . The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha>
tags or {{efn}}
templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
template or {{notelist}}
template (see the help page ).