The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a call on Monday for Gazans to evacuate eastern neighborhoods of Rafah ahead of a major military offensive into the city.

“The Israeli army is expanding the humanitarian zone in Al-Mawasi and is calling on Palestinians to temporarily evacuate from the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah to the expanded humanitarian zone” IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on X under a map illustrating evacuation routes to the Gazan town.

“The expansion of the humanitarian zone in Al-Mawasi includes field hospitals, tents, large quantities of food, water, medicine, and other supplies.”

As per The Times of Israel, the IDF dropped flyers in Rafah this morning warning residents to take advantage of the humanitarian zone in al-Mawasi or risk putting themselves and their families in danger.

“In this area, the expanded humanitarian aid will continue. The IDF will continue fighting the terror organizations that use you as human shields. Therefore, Gaza City is a dangerous fighting zone; avoid crossing to the north of Wadi Gaza. It is prohibited to come near the eastern and southern security fences,” one IDF flyer reads.

On Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant told IDF troops inside Gaza to expect “intense action” in Rafah in the near future.

“We have set a timeframe and aimed to expedite the release of the hostages with a temporary suspension of operational activities, as the hostages are in a critical condition and we must make every effort to secure their release,” Galant said.

“We are seeing worrying signs that Hamas does not intend to enter any agreement with us, implying that actions in Rafah and throughout the Gaza Strip are imminent.”