CNN —Israeli military tanks were seen in central Rafah on Tuesday for the first time since the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) entered Gaza’s southernmost city earlier this month, two eyewitnesses told CNN.
Alaa Abu Ibrahim, a Rafah resident, told CNN that Israeli tanks were seen at the Al Awda roundabout in the center of the city.
Asked about reports of tanks advancing in the city, IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said at a media briefing on Tuesday that the military is operating in Rafah in a “targeted” and “precise” way.
The Biden administration has warned against a large-scale ground invasion in Rafah unless the wellbeing of civilians can be guaranteed.
“Even when we do find the cause of the fire that erupted it won’t make this situation any less tragic.”Israel’s advance deeper into Rafah comes despite the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering it to “immediately halt” its military operation there.
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Locations:
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