Palestinians who have sought shelter in Rafah have been bracing for an Israeli incursion for months, huddling in crowded tents, schools and apartments. Israeli officials have repeatedly said that the army will enter Rafah to fight Hamas battalions there, bucking international pressure to back off any operation. It was unclear how much Israel would expand Al-Mawasi but the area is already packed with people. Imagery taken on Thursday shows more than 100 tents in the area, while imagery captured on Sunday shows more than 400 in the complex. The Biden administration has repeatedly urged Israel to hold off on a major military assault on Rafah, including in a virtual meeting last week.

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Persons: Biden, Israel, Jan, Sandra Rasheed, Israel hadn’t, Mawasi, Khan Younis, Mohammed al, ”, Jamie McGoldrick, Biden’s, “, ” Mr, Hassi, Rajab al, Lauren Leatherby Organizations: Al, Labs, United Nations Locations: Gaza, Rafah, Israeli, Israel, GAZA, Jerusalem, Al, Egypt, Gaza City