Israel-Gaza updates: 300,000 have fled Rafah, UN agency says

Israel called again on Saturday for civilians to leave parts of the city.

ByABC NEWS
Last Updated: May 12, 2024, 2:28 PM EDT

As the Israel-Hamas war crosses the seven-month mark, renewed negotiations are underway to secure the release of hostages taken by the terrorist organization, as Israeli forces continue to prepare for an apparent invasion of the southern Gazan town of Rafah.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
May 06, 2024, 9:35 AM EDT

Biden speaks with Netanyahu as Rafah invasion looms, source says

President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, a source confirmed to ABC News.

Biden was expected to again reiterate his position on Rafah, urging restraint when it comes to an invasion of the enclave holding more than 1 million Gaza refugees, as he did when they last spoke on April 28.

Click here to read more about the conversation.

-ABC News' Mary Bruce and Justin Gomez

May 06, 2024, 7:29 AM EDT

IDF jets strike Rafah overnight

Israeli military jets targeted areas of Rafah overnight, striking "terror targets" and military structures, including a sniper's nest, the Israel Defense Forces said Monday.

Palestinians inspect the destruction following overnight Israeli strikes on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 6, 2024.
AFP via Getty Images

The strike included areas of Rafah "from which projectiles were launched toward the area of Kerem Shalom yesterday," IDF officials said on Telegram.

There were no immediate reports of injuries following Monday's strikes. IDF strikes on Sunday had killed at least 12 people in Rafah.

-ABC News' Kevin Shalvey and Joe Simonetti

May 06, 2024, 6:06 AM EDT

IDF drops flyers in Rafah, warning of danger

Israeli aircraft on Monday began dropping flyers in eastern Rafah, warning thousands of people sheltering in the city that they may be in danger ahead of a possible Israeli operation.

Palestinians hold leaflets dropped by Israeli planes calling on them to evacuate ahead of an Israeli military operation in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, May 6, 2024.
Ismael Abu Dayyah/AP

"The IDF will be operating against the terrorist organizations in the area where you are located, as it has operated until now," the flyers read in Arabic, according to a translation provided by the Israel Defense Forces. "Anyone found near terrorist organisations endangers themselves and their family members."

The flyers included directions for an evacuation, including information about the humanitarian area near Al-Mawasi, Israel said.

-ABC News' Joe Simonetti and Kevin Shalvey

May 06, 2024, 4:36 AM EDT

UN agency says it won’t evacuate Rafah

Palestinians inspect the destruction following overnight Israeli strikes on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 6, 2024.
AFP via Getty Images

The U.N. Agency for Palestine Refugees said Monday it wouldn't begin to evacuate its staff from Rafah, adding that a possible Israeli invasion into the refugee city would be "devastating."

"UNRWA is not evacuating: the Agency will maintain a presence in Rafah as long as possible & will continue providing lifesaving aid to people," the group said in a statement.

An invasion into the city "would mean more civilian suffering & deaths," the agency said.

-ABC News' Kevin Shalvey

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