The Israeli army said it has surrounded Rafah’s Tal as-Sultan neighbourhood, after demanding Palestinian civilians flee the area. 

The military said it was expanding its “security zone” by rooting out Hamas military infrastructure and pursuing fighters in southern Gaza. 

The army, however, claimed it would still allow civilians to evacuate the area via “organised routes” without giving any further details. 

Earlier, Israel’s Arabic-language spokesperson told civilians in Tal as-Sultan to leave the area by foot towards Gaza’s al-Mawasi area.